Automatic control of heating and cooling of a vehicle seating assembly pursuant to predictive modeling that recalibrates based on occupant manual control

ABSTRACT

A method of controlling a temperature altering element within a seating assembly of a vehicle comprising: presenting a vehicle including a seating assembly including a temperature altering element, a controller in communication with the temperature altering element, the controller including a Pre-established Predictive Activation Model setting forth rules governing the activation of the temperature altering element as a function of data relating to Certain Identifiable Conditions, and a user interface configured to allow the temperature altering element to be manually activated or deactivated; occupying the seating assembly with a first occupant; collecting data relating to the Certain Identifiable Conditions while the first occupant is occupying the seating assembly; determining, by comparing the collected data to the rules of the Pre-established Predictive Activation Model, whether the collected data satisfies the rules of the Pre-established Predictive Activation Model so as to activate the temperature altering element; and activating the temperature altering element.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of and claims priority to U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 15/836,245, filed on Dec. 8, 2017, (now U.S. Pat.No. 10,518,602, issued Dec. 31, 2019) entitled “AUTOMATIC CONTROL OFHEATING AND COOLING OF A VEHICLE SEATING ASSEMBLY PURSUANT TO PREDICTIVEMODELING THAT RECALIBRATES BASED ON OCCUPANT MANUAL CONTROL,” thecontents of which are relied upon and incorporated herein by referencein their entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to the heating and cooling of aseating assembly of a vehicle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A vehicle typically includes a seating assembly designated for anoperator occupant of the vehicle. The seating assembly sometimesincludes a temperature altering element that can selectively provideheat to or take away heat from (i.e., cool) the seating assembly, whichincreases the comfort of the occupant of the seating assembly. Theoccupant of the seating assembly typically has to activate anddeactivate manually, through a user interface, the temperature alteringelement.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to an aspect of the present invention, a method of controllinga temperature altering element within a seating assembly of a vehiclecomprises: presenting a vehicle comprising a seating assembly includinga temperature altering element, a controller in communication with thetemperature altering element, the controller including a Pre-establishedPredictive Activation Model setting forth rules governing the activationof the temperature altering element as a function of data relating toCertain Identifiable Conditions, and a user interface configured toallow the temperature altering element to be manually activated ordeactivated; occupying the seating assembly with a first occupant;collecting data relating to the Certain Identifiable Conditions whilethe first occupant is occupying the seating assembly; determining, bycomparing the collected data to the rules of the Pre-establishedPredictive Activation Model, whether the collected data satisfies therules of the Pre-established Predictive Activation Model so as toinitially automatically activate the temperature altering element; andautomatically activating the temperature altering element.

Embodiments of this aspect of the invention can include any one or acombination of the following features:

-   -   the Pre-established Predictive Activation Model was formed        pursuant to a classification and regression tree analysis of        input data related to the Certain Identifiable Conditions        collected from other operators of other vehicles;    -   the Pre-established Predictive Activation Model establishes        rules that are a function of at least the following Certain        Identifiable Conditions: ambient temperature; temperature set        point for an interior of the vehicle; the time of day; whether        the occupant has requested the vehicle to heat the interior with        a blower at a certain blower speed; the temperature of the        interior of the vehicle; and the temperature differential        between the ambient temperature and the in-vehicle temperature;    -   the Pre-established Predictive Activation Model establishes        rules that are a function of at least the following Certain        Identifiable Conditions: whether the windshield wipers have been        activated; whether air conditioning has been activated;        temperature set point for an interior of the vehicle; the        ambient temperature; level at which the vehicle's climate        control system is blowing air; engine speed; vehicle speed; and        in-vehicle temperature;    -   the Pre-established Predictive Activation Model establishes        rules that are a function of at least the following Certain        Identifiable Conditions: the in-vehicle temperature; the ambient        temperature; level at which the vehicle's climate control system        is blowing air; whether a rear window defrost has been        activated; vehicle speed; whether air conditioning has been        activated; engine speed; and whether the windshield wipers have        been activated;    -   when the ambient temperature is greater than a certain        temperature, the controller automatically activates the        temperature altering element pursuant to the Pre-established        Predictive Activation Model as a function of data relating to at        least one other Certain Identifiable Condition not including the        ambient temperature;    -   when the ambient temperature is less than the certain        temperature, the controller automatically activates the        temperature altering element pursuant to the Pre-established        Predictive Activation Model as a function of data relating to at        least one other Certain Identifiable Condition not including the        ambient temperature;    -   when the windshield wipers have been activated, the controller        does not automatically activate the temperature altering element        pursuant to the Pre-established Predictive Activation Model;    -   when the windshield wipers have not been activated, the        controller automatically activates the temperature altering        element pursuant to the Pre-established Predictive Activation        Model as a function of data relating to at least one other        Certain Identifiable Condition not including whether the        windshield wipers have been activated;    -   when the in-vehicle temperature is less than a certain        temperature, the controller does not automatically activate the        temperature altering element to impart cooling pursuant to the        Pre-established Predictive Activation Model;    -   when the in-vehicle temperature is greater than the certain        temperature, the controller automatically activates the        temperature altering element to impart cooling pursuant to the        Pre-established Predictive Activation Model as a function of        data;    -   the Pre-established Predictive Activation Model establishes        rules for activation of the temperature altering element to        provide cooling and the rules are a function of data related to        at least the following Certain Identifiable Conditions: ambient        temperature; the in-vehicle temperature; whether a rear window        defrost has been activated; and a temperature set point for an        interior of the vehicle;    -   when the ambient temperature is less than a certain temperature        and the in-vehicle temperature is greater than another certain        temperature, the controller automatically activates the        temperature altering element to impart cooling pursuant to the        rules of the Pre-established Predictive Activation Model as a        function of data relating to at least one other certain        identifiable condition including vehicle speed;    -   when the ambient temperature is greater than the certain        temperature, the controller automatically activates the        temperature altering element to impart cooling pursuant to the        rules of the Pre-established Predictive Activation Model as a        function of data relating to at least one other certain        identifiable condition;    -   automatically deactivating the temperature altering element        pursuant to the Pre-established Predictive Activation Model,        after initially automatically activating the temperature        altering element pursuant to the Pre-established Predictive        Activation Model, if the collected data relating to the Certain        Identifiable Conditions collected after initially automatically        activating the temperature altering element satisfy the rules of        the Pre-established Predictive Activation Model for deactivation        of the temperature altering element;    -   automatically reactivating the temperature altering element        pursuant to the Pre-established Predictive Activation Model,        after automatically deactivating the temperature altering        element pursuant to the Pre-established Predictive Activation        Model, if the collected data relating to the Certain        Identifiable Conditions collected after deactivating the        temperature altering element again satisfy the rules for        activation pursuant to the Pre-established Predictive Activation        Model;    -   the occupant of the seating assembly manually deactivating the        temperature altering element via the user interface;    -   upon the occupant manually deactivating the temperature altering        element via the user interface, recalibrating the        Pre-established Predictive Activation Model into a new        predictive activation model accounting for the collected data        relative to the Certain Identifiable Conditions existing when        the occupant manually deactivated the temperature altering        element and establishing new rules for activation and/or        deactivation of the temperature altering element;    -   the occupant manually activating the temperature altering        element via the user interface;    -   upon the occupant manually activating the temperature altering        element via the user interface, recalibrating the new predictive        activation model into a newer predictive activation model        accounting for the collected data relative to the Certain        Identifiable Conditions existing when the occupant manually        activated the temperature altering element and establishing new        rules for activation and/or deactivation of the temperature        altering element;    -   the temperature altering element being adjustable to several        different levels of temperature altering;    -   the controller further including a Pre-established Predictive        Level Model establishing rules governing which level of the        several different levels of temperature altering the controller        will initially automatically set for the temperature altering        element, the rules of the Pre-established Predictive Level Model        being a function of one or more of the Certain Identifiable        Conditions;    -   the user interface further configured to allow the occupant to        select manually the level of the several different levels of        temperature altering;    -   determining, by comparing the collected data to the rules of the        Pre-established Predictive Level Model, which level of the        several different levels of temperature altering the controller        will initially automatically set for the temperature altering        element;    -   initially automatically setting the temperature altering element        to the determined level;    -   the Pre-established Predictive Level Model is formed pursuant to        a multilayer perceptron classifier analysis of input data        relating to the Certain Identifiable Conditions collected from        other vehicles;    -   the occupant of the seating assembly manually changing the level        of temperature altering for the temperature altering element via        the user interface;    -   upon the occupant manually changing the level of temperature        altering for the temperature altering element via the user        interface, recalibrating the Pre-established Predictive Level        Model into a new predictive level model accounting for the        collected data relative to the Certain Identifiable Conditions        existing when the occupant manually changed the level of        temperature altering and establishing new rules governing the        level of temperature altering for the temperature altering        element when the temperature altering element is automatically        activated;    -   automatically deactivating the temperature altering element;    -   automatically reactivating the temperature altering element;    -   determining, by comparing the collected data to the rules of the        new predictive level model, which level of the several different        levels of temperature altering the controller will initially        automatically set for the temperature altering element;    -   automatically setting the temperature altering element to the        determined level;    -   removing the occupant from the seating assembly;    -   occupying the seating assembly with a second occupant;    -   recognizing that the second occupant is different than the        occupant;    -   collecting data relative to the identifiable conditions while        the second occupant is occupying the seating assembly;    -   determining, by comparing the only the data collected while the        second occupant is occupying the seating assembly, and not the        data collected with the occupant was occupying the seating        assembly, to the rules of the Pre-established Predictive        Activation Model, whether data collected satisfy the rules of        the Pre-established Predictive Activation Model so as to        initially automatically activate the temperature altering        element; and    -   initially automatically activating the temperature altering        element while the second occupant is occupying the seating        assembly.

These and other aspects, objects, and features of the present inventionwill be understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art uponstudying the following specification, claims, and appended drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a side overhead view of an interior of a vehicle, illustratinga first seating assembly that includes a temperature altering element toprovide selective heating or cooling, a controller, and a userinterface;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the controller of FIG. 1, illustratingthat the controller accepts input from various data sources and the userinterface and uses these input sources to automatically control theactivation/deactivation of the temperature altering element and thelevel at which the temperature altering element is altering temperature;

FIG. 3A is a front view of an exemplary user interface of FIG. 1,illustrating a touch screen display providing notification that thecontroller has automatically activated the temperature altering elementand the level of temperature altering, and providing a touchable “OFF”button allowing an occupant of the first seating assembly to manuallydeactivate the temperature altering element;

FIG. 3B is a front view of the exemplary user interface of FIG. 1,illustrating the touch screen display providing notification that thecontroller has not automatically activated the temperature alteringelement and providing a touchable “ON” button allowing the occupant ofthe first seating assembly to manually activate the temperature alteringelement;

FIG. 4 is a process diagram illustrating the controller, after theoccupant occupies the first seating assembly, collecting (accepting asinput) data from the various data sources relating to CertainIdentifiable Conditions, comparing the data to rules established by aPre-established Predictive Activation Model governing the activation anddeactivation of the temperature altering element, and either activatingthe temperature altering element or not activating/deactivating thetemperature altering element according to the rules;

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating the rules of a first examplePre-established Predictive Activation Model (for heating) providing thedata relating to the Certain Identifiable Conditions that must exist forthe controller to automatically activate the temperature alteringelement to impart heat and to not activate/automatically deactivate thetemperature altering element;

FIGS. 6A and 6B are schematic diagrams illustrating the rules of asecond example Pre-established Predictive Activation Model (again forheating) providing the data relating to the Certain IdentifiableConditions that must exist for the controller to automatically activatethe temperature altering element to impart heat and to notactivate/automatically deactivate the temperature altering element; and

FIGS. 7A and 7B are schematic diagrams illustrating the rules of a thirdexample Pre-established Predictive Activation Model (this time forcooling) providing the data relating to the Certain IdentifiableConditions that must exist for the controller to automatically activatethe temperature altering element to impart cooling and to notactivate/automatically deactivate the temperature altering element.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

For purposes of description herein, the term “rearward” shall relate tothe disclosure as oriented in FIG. 1. However, it is to be understoodthat the disclosure may assume various alternative orientations, exceptwhere expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understoodthat the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attacheddrawings, and described in the following specification are simplyexemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appendedclaims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristicsrelating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered aslimiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise.

Referring to FIG. 1, a vehicle 10 includes an interior 12. A firstseating assembly 14 and a second seating assembly 16 are disposed in theinterior 12 and form a first row of seating 18. The vehicle 10 canfurther include a second row of seating 20 disposed rearward for thefirst row of seating 18, a third row of seating 22 disposed rearward ofthe second row of seating 20, and so on. The first seating assembly 14can be designated for an occupant who operates the vehicle 10. Thesecond seating assembly 16 can be designated for an occupant who is apassenger of the vehicle 10. As the second seating assembly 16, thesecond row of seating 20, and third row of seating 22, can be identicalto the first seating assembly 14 for purposes of this disclosure, onlythe first seating assembly 14 will be particularly discussed herein.

The first seating assembly 14 includes a temperature altering element24. The temperature altering element 24 can be any element thatincreases or decreases the temperature of the first seating assembly 14upon command. The temperature altering element 24 can be a heatingmechanism for imparting heat such as wires resisting electrical currentand producing heat, a cooling mechanism that removes heat (i.e., impartscooling) such as cooled air, or a Peltier thermoelectric device that isable to produce either cooling or heating. The first seating assembly 14can include a temperature altering element 24 dedicated to heating andanother temperature altering element 24 dedicated to cooling. Thetemperature altering element 24 can be adjustable to provide severaldifferent levels of temperature altering. For example, the temperaturealtering element 24 can provide temperature altering of comparativelyhigh, medium, or low levels.

Referring now also to FIG. 2, the vehicle 10 further includes acontroller 26. The controller 26 is in communication with thetemperature altering element 24. The controller 26 controls whether thetemperature altering element 24 is activated (i.e., providing heat orproviding cooling) and how aggressively (i.e., what level, such as high,medium, or low) the temperature altering element 24 is alteringtemperature. The controller 26 can include a microprocessor 28 toexecute programs, such as those used to control the temperature alteringelement 24, stored in memory 30.

The controller 26 includes a Pre-established Predictive Activation Modelfor heating and/or a Pre-established Predictive Activation Model forcooling establishing rules that govern whether the controller 26 willinitially automatically activate the temperature altering element 24 toimpart heat or impart cooling, respectively, to the first seatingassembly 14 without the input or instruction of the occupant of thefirst seating assembly 14. The Pre-established Predictive ActivationModel(s) can be stored in the memory 30. The Pre-established PredictiveActivation Models are formed as a consequence of analyzing datacollected from occupants of seating assemblies of other vehicles(hereinafter, “Test Vehicles”). The general analysis concerns thequestion of what conditions existed when occupants of seating assembliesof the Test Vehicles activated the temperature altering element of thoseseating assemblies to impart heat and to impart cooling. Theidentification of those conditions can be utilized to predict when theoccupant of the first seating assembly 14 would desire to have thetemperature altering element 24 of the first seating assembly 14activated to impart heat (or to impart cooling) and then automaticallyactivate the temperature altering element 24 to do so without theoccupant manually instructing the controller 26 to activate thetemperature altering element 24. In other words, the Pre-establishedPredictive Activation Model is formed pursuant to an analysis of inputdata collected from the Test Vehicles relating to numerous conditions(hereinafter, “Certain Identifiable Conditions”). The Pre-establishedPredictive Activation Model is a function of those Certain IdentifiableConditions. The Pre-established Predictive Activation Model and theCertain Identifiable Conditions are discussed in greater detail below.

The controller 26 further includes a Pre-established Predictive LevelModel for heating and/or a Pre-established Predictive Level Model forcooling stored in memory 30. The Pre-established Predictive Level Modelsestablish rules governing which level of the several different levels oftemperature altering the controller 26 will initially automatically setfor the temperature altering element 24. For example, thePre-established Predictive Level Model for heating establishes rulesgoverning which level of heating (i.e., how aggressive of heating) thecontroller 26 will automatically set for the temperature alteringelement 24 when and while the controller 26 automatically activates thetemperature altering element 24 to impart heat. Likewise, thePre-established Predictive Level Model for cooling establishes rulesgoverning which level of cooling (i.e., how aggressive of cooling) thecontroller 26 will automatically set for the temperature alteringelement 24 when and while the controller 26 automatically activates thetemperature altering element 24 to impart cooling. The rules of thePre-established Predictive Level Model(s) are a function of the CertainIdentifiable Conditions. The Pre-established Predictive Level Modellikewise will be discussed further below.

The controller 26 receives input from one or more data sources 46 withinthe vehicle 10 concerning the Certain Identifiable Conditions. The oneor more data sources 46 can be sensors and/or settings, among otherthings. As discussed further below, the controller 26 utilizes dataconcerning the Certain Identifiable Conditions to control thetemperature altering element 24 according to the Pre-establishedPredictive Model and the second Pre-established Predictive Model (andsubsequent refinements thereof).

Referring now also to FIGS. 3A and 3B, the vehicle 10 further includes auser interface 32 in communication with the controller 26. The userinterface 32 can be located in the vehicle 10 such that the occupant ofthe first seating assembly 14 can interact with the user interface 32.For example, the user interface 32 can be a touch screen display 34, aknob, switch, and/or a voice-manipulable user interface, among otherthings. The user interface 32 is configured to allow the occupant tomanually activate the temperature altering element 24 if the controller26 has not activated the temperature altering element 24 to impartheating or cooling as the occupant desires. In addition, the userinterface 32 is configured to manually deactivate the temperaturealtering element 24 if the controller 26 has activated the temperaturealtering element 24 to impart heating or cooling contrary to theoccupant's desires. For example, the user interface 32 could be thetouch screen display 34 with an option (e.g., a button 36 labeled “OFF”)allowing the occupant of the first seating assembly 14 to deactivate thetemperature altering element 24 of the first seating assembly 14 thatthe controller 26 has automatically activated according to thePre-established Predictive Activation Model to impart heat. If theoccupant presses the OFF button 36, the controller 26 accepts theinteraction as input and deactivates the temperature altering element 24from imparting heat. The previous scenario could likewise apply if thecontroller 26 has automatically activated the temperature alteringelement 24 pursuant to Pre-established Predictive Activation Model toimpart cooling. Similarly, the touch screen display 34 can include anoption (e.g., a button 44 labeled “ON”) allowing the occupant of thefirst seating assembly 14 to activate the temperature altering element24 of the first seating assembly 14 that the controller 26 has notautomatically activated following the Pre-established PredictiveActivation Model(s). If the occupant presses the button 44 labeled “ON,”the controller 26 accepts the interaction as input and activates thetemperature altering element 24. For example, if the occupant desiresthe temperature altering element 24 to impart heat to the first seatingassembly 14 but the controller 26 has not automatically caused thetemperature altering element 24 to do so pursuant to the Pre-establishedPredictive Activation Model for cooling, then the occupant couldnavigate to the touch screen display 34 to a cooling option screen andpress the button 44 labeled “ON,” and the controller 26 then activatesthe temperature altering element 24 to impart cooling.

In addition, the user interface 32 is configured to allow the occupantof the first seating assembly 14 to manually select the level of theseveral different levels of temperature altering. For example, the touchscreen display 34 can have an option allowing the occupant of the firstseating assembly 14 to manually select a relatively high level oftemperature altering (e.g., a button 38 labeled “HIGH”), a relativelylow level of temperature altering (e.g., a button 42 labeled “LOW”), ora level of temperature altering between high and low levels (e.g., abutton 40 labeled “MEDIUM”). The touch screen display options might be“3,” “2,” and “1” instead of “HIGH,” “MEDIUM,” and “LOW,” respectively.If the occupant presses one of the buttons 38, 40, 42, the controller 26accepts the interaction as input and adjusts the level of thetemperature altering element 24 accordingly, overriding the level atwhich the controller 26 automatically set for the temperature alteringelement 24 pursuant to the Pre-established Predictive Level Model. Theoccupant's interaction with the user interface 32 in this manner tooverride the controller's 26 automatic control of the temperaturealtering element 24 affects the controller's 26 subsequent automaticcontrol thereof, as discussed in greater detail below.

Referring now to FIG. 4, the above vehicle 10, including the firstseating assembly 14 with the temperature altering element 24, thecontroller 26, and the user interface 32 can be utilized in performing anovel method of controlling the temperature altering element 24. Thenovel method (at step 48) includes occupying the first seating assembly14 with an occupant, (at step 50) collecting data relating to theCertain Identifiable Conditions (from data sources 46) while theoccupant is occupying the first seating assembly 14, (at step 52)determining (by comparing the collected data to the rules of thePre-established Predictive Activation Model governing activation)whether the collected data satisfies the rules of the Pre-establishedPredictive Activation Model so as to initially automatically activatethe temperature altering element 24, and, if so, (at step 54) initiallyautomatically activating the temperature altering element 24. Ifcomparing the collected data to the Pre-established PredictiveActivation Model reveals that the rules for activation of thetemperature altering element 24 are not satisfied, then the method canproceed back to step 50 and the data collection continues. Even if thecollected data satisfies the rules of the Pre-established PredictiveActivation Model for activation of the temperature altering element 24,the method can further include proceeding back to step 50 to continuedata collection and subsequently to determine whether the collected datasatisfies the rules of the Pre-established Predictive Activation Modelfor deactivation of the temperature altering element 24, resulting indeactivation of the temperature altering element 24 at step 56.

We now further discuss the Test Vehicles and the data collectedtherefrom relating to the Certain Identifiable Conditions, analysis ofwhich data forms the pre Pre-established Predictive Activation Model(s)and the Pre-established Predictive Level Model(s) (and subsequentiterations thereof). Data was collected from over 700 Test Vehicles. Thedata was narrowed down to data related to less than sixty conditionsforming the Certain Identifiable Conditions, which were thought to havesome relation to the decision of occupants whether to activate thetemperature altering element 24 and at what level (how aggressively) thetemperature altering element 24 would alter temperature. Those CertainIdentifiable Conditions include: whether automatic windshield wipershave been activated, i.e., are wiping, because of sensed rain orotherwise (“Smart_Wiper_Motor_Stat”); front passenger side temperatureset point (“Front_Rt_Temp_Setpt”); front operator side temperature setpoint (“Front_Left_Temp_Setpt”) (these last two temperature set pointsrefer to the set point temperature of the blown air directed toward thefirst seating assembly 14 and the second seating assembly 16,respectively); whether a rear window defrost has been activated(“Overriding_ModeReq,” “Rear_Defrost_Soft_Bttn_Stt”); level at which thevehicle's climate control system is blowing air(“Front_Rear_Blower_Req”); outside/ambient temperature(“AirAmb_Te_ActlFilt,” “AirAmb_Te_ActlFilt_UB,” “AirAmb_Te_Actl,”“AirAmb_Te_Actl_UB”); the temperature of the interior of the vehicle(“InCarTemp,” “InCarTempQF”); engine speed (such as revolutions perminute) (“EngAout_N_Actl,” “EngAout_N_Actl_UB”); whether the operatorhas activated an interior air recirculation function (“Recirc_Request”);and the time of the day, which may be expressed as the hour of the day(“hour”). Other of the Certain Identifiable Conditions include: whetherthe operator has requested that the steering wheel be heated(“CC_HtdStrWhl_Req_Binary,” “CC_HtdStrWhl_Req”); whether the operatorhas activated a front window defrost function(“Front_Defrost_Sft_Btn_Stt”); whether air conditioning has beenactivated (“AC_Request”); vehicle 10 speed (“Veh_V_ActlEng_UB,”“Veh_V_ActlEng”); whether the passenger has activated a temperaturealtering element 24 for the second seating assembly 16, the passengerseating assembly, (“Pass_Fr_Cond_Seat_Req”); and, if so, what level(“Pass_Fr_Cond_Seat_Lvl”). Still other Certain Identifiable Conditionscan include: the status of defrost controls generally(“Default_Defrost_State”); whether the operator has activated a functionto defrost the side rearview mirrors (“RrDefrost_HtdMirrReq”); thestatus of the defrosting of the side rearview mirrors(“RrDefrost_HtdMirrState”); whether the operator has manually overriddenan automatic defrost function of the side rearview mirrors(“Mirror_Manual_Override”); positioning of the passenger mirrorshorizontally and vertically (“Pass_Mirror_Sw_UD_Stat” and“Pass_Mirror_Sw_LR_Stat”); whether a passenger in the second row ofseating 20, passenger side, has activated a temperature altering element(“Pass_Rr_Cond_Seat_Req”) and, if so what level(“Pass_Rr_Cond_Seat_Lvl”); whether a passenger in the second row ofseating 20, driver side, has activated a temperature altering element(“Drvr_Rr_Cond_Seat_Req”). Still other Certain Identifiable Conditionsrelated to time can include minute, second, date, and day of the week(Monday, Tuesday, etc.), and season. Still other Certain IdentifiableConditions include sunlight level, and trip-related statistics, such astrip length, trip frequency, trip characterization (such as commuteversus leisure), GPS positioning (such as latitude and longitude), roadgrade, altitude, city versus country driving, highway versus city road,torque, braking, and idle time.

The identifiers above noted in quotations within parentheses areprovided to help decipher the example Pre-established PredictiveActivation Models reproduced below. Several identifiers may relate tothe same concept. For example, “AirAmb_Te_ActlFilt,”“AirAmb_Te_ActlFilt_UB,” “AirAmb_Te_Actl,” and “AirAmb_Te_Actl_UB” allrelate to the temperature of the ambient air. Before analyzing the datarelating to the Certain Identifiable Conditions to generate thePre-established Predictive Activation Model(s) and the Pre-establishedPredictive Level Model(s), it may be advantageous to consolidate theseveral identifiers into one identifier. For example, data with theidentifier “AirAmb_Te_Act_UB” may essentially be duplication of“AirAmb_Te_Act” and may be removed entirely from the data beforeanalyzing to generate the Pre-established Predictive Activation Model(s)and the Pre-established Predictive Level Model(s). As another example,“AirAmb_Te_ActlFilt” may be a version of “AirAmb_Te_Act” to filter outshort term fluctuations in the data with the “AirAmb_Te_Act” identifier.Therefore, only data with the “AirAmb_Te_Act” can be included for theanalysis to generate the Pre-established Predictive Activation Model(s)and the Pre-established Predictive Level Model(s).

In general, by analyzing data related to the Certain IdentifiableConditions from the Test Vehicles, it can be determined what the CertainIdentifiable Conditions were when an occupant of a Test Vehicle made thedecision to activate the temperature altering element 24 (both forheating and for cooling of the first seating assembly 14) and made thedecision to deactivate the temperature altering element 24. ThePre-established Predictive Activation Model(s) and the Pre-establishedPredictive Level Model(s) can then be formed, establishing rules as afunction of the data related to the Certain Identifiable Conditions thatsatisfied a certain percentage of instances when the occupants of theTest Vehicles made the decision to activate/deactivate the temperaturealtering element 24. In other words, by modeling past occupant behaviordemonstrated in the Test Vehicles, the Pre-established PredictiveActivation Model(s) and the Pre-established Predictive Level Model(s)can be used to predict future occupant desires in the vehicle 10regarding activation/deactivation of temperature altering element 24(and level of temperature altering) and automatically control theactivation/deactivation and level management thereof.

Some of the data can be processed before analyzing the data to generatethe Pre-established Predictive Activation Model(s) and thePre-established Predictive Level Model(s). For example, data related tothe Certain Identifiable Condition of whether automatic windshieldwipers are activated because of sensed rain can be processed to reflectsimply the wiper status as on or off (and assigned a 1 value or a 0value) (“Smart_Wiper_Motor_Stat_V1”) rather than initial data thatincludes a number between 0 and 1 to reflect speed of the wipers(“Smart_Wiper_Motor_Stat”). Data related to other of the CertainIdentifiable Conditions can be processed in the same way to make thedata more meaningfully predictive for the Pre-established PredictiveActivation Model(s) and the Pre-established Predictive Level Model(s).As another example, some of the Certain Identifiable Conditions can bederived from other Certain Identifiable Conditions and further analyzedfor predictive power for the Pre-established Predictive ActivationModel(s) and the Pre-established Predictive Level Model(s). For example,a Certain Identifiable Condition of whether the occupant has requestedthe vehicle 10 to heat the interior 12 with low, medium, or high blowerspeed when activating the temperature altering element 24(“turnOnHeat1,” “turnOnHeat2,” “turnOnHeat3”) was derived from theCertain Identifiable Conditions of the operator side temperature setting(“Front_Left_Temp_Setpt”) and the level at which the vehicle's climatecontrol system is blowing air (“Front_Rear_Blower_Req,”“RCCM_Fr_Rr_Blower_Req”). As another example, the Certain IdentifiableConditions of the ambient temperature (“AirAmb_Te_Actl”) and thein-vehicle 10 temperature (“InCarTemp”) can be used to calculate thetemperature differential between the two temperatures (“tempDiff”). Asanother example, the Certain Identifiable Condition of the hour of theday (“hour”) can be segmented, such as into whether it is morning(“isMorning”). As yet another example, the Certain IdentifiableCondition of the hour of the day (“hour”) or another time relatedCertain Identifiable Condition can be segmented into the month (“month”)or season, such as whether it is spring, summer, fall, or winter(“isSummerx”).

The Pre-established Predictive Activation Model(s) and thePre-established Predictive Level Model(s) can be derived from the datarelated to the Certain Identifiable Conditions that were collected fromthe Test Vehicles en masse. Alternatively, the data related to theCertain Identifiable Conditions collected from the Test Vehicles can befirst segmented (such as into 3 segments, hereinafter “Segments”) basedon criteria such as operator type (such as a primarily city driver, aprimarily highway driver, an “aggressive” operator). SeparatePre-established Predictive Activation Model(s) and the Pre-establishedPredictive Level Model(s) can be derived for each Segment, that is, foreach operator type. The assumption is that one type of operator willexhibit different patterns of activation the temperature alteringelement 24 than another type of operator. For example, onePre-established Predictive Activation Model for heating can be derivedfor one type of operator and another Pre-established PredictiveActivation Model for heating can be derived for another type ofoperator, and so on. Criteria that can be utilized to segment the datacollected from the over 700 vehicles include average trip length foreach of the Test Vehicles, the standard deviation of the trip length,the average number of trips per unit of time such as per day, the numberof trips that might be considered “short,” such as under two miles, theamount of highway miles the Test Vehicle has been driven, the amount ofnon-highway miles the vehicle has been driven, and the ratio between thelatter two. Other criteria that can be utilized to segment the datacollected from the Test Vehicles further include those that can relateto how “aggressive” the particular Test Vehicle has been driven, such astorque, load, vehicle speed, engine revolutions per minute, fueleconomy, how often the driver coasted (that is, how often the vehiclemoved without the operator either causing the vehicle to accelerate ordecelerate through braking). The segmentation of the data collected fromthe Test Vehicles to form the Segments can be performed through ak-means cluster algorithm.

The controller 26 can initially include Pre-established PredictiveActivation Model(s) and the Pre-established Predictive Level Model(s)generated from each Segment but, as a default, utilize only thePre-established Predictive Activation Model(s) and the Pre-establishedPredictive Level Model(s) for one particular Segment for theactivation/deactivation of the temperature altering element 24 (andlevel control). Data can then be collected relating to the CertainIdentifiable Conditions while the vehicle 10 begins operation for acertain period of time. This data can then be compared to the Segmentsto determine to which of the Segments the vehicle 10 is most similar.For example, one of the Segments might be data from the subset of theTest Vehicles that were mainly driven on highways and the vehicle 10might be mainly driven on highways as well. The Pre-establishedPredictive Activation Model(s) and the Pre-established Predictive LevelModel(s) derived from that particular Segment can then be thePre-established Predictive Activation Model(s) and the Pre-establishedPredictive Level Model(s) utilized by the controller 26 thereafter.

The Pre-established Predictive Activation Model(s) can be formedpursuant to a classification and regression tree (“CART”) analysis ofthe data related to the Certain Identifiable Conditions collected fromthe Test Vehicles en masse or Segmented (resulting in Pre-establishedPredictive Activation Model(s) for each Segment), as explained above.There are a variety of CART analyses that can provide useful results,including the C.50 program (Release 2.07 GPL Edition, available fromwww.rulequest.com), the M5P classifier, as implemented in Weka(available fromhttp://weka.sourceforge.net/doc.stable/weka/classifiers/trees/M5P.html),and the Random Tree classifier, as implemented in Weka (available fromhttp://weka.sourceforge.net/doc.dev/weka/classifiers/trees/RandomTree.html)There are other CART analyses available and this in not meant to be anexhaustive list.

An example Pre-established Predictive Activation Model for heatingformed pursuant to the C.50 program CART analysis is set forth below.This example Pre-established Predictive Activation Model sets forth therules of the activation/deactivation of temperature altering element 24to impart heating to the first seating assembly 14 as a function of datarelating to the Certain Identifiable Conditions.

AirAmb_Te_Actl > 12.17466: :...Front_Rt_Temp_Setpt <= 154.9836: 0 (288): Front_Rt_Temp_Setpt > 154.9836: 1 (18/1) AirAmb_Te_Actl <= 12.17466::...isMorning <= 0: 0 (120)  isMorning > 0:  :...turnOnHeat3 <= 0:  :...tempDiff <= 3.670543: 0 (112)   : tempDiff > 3.670543: 1 (9/1)  turnOnHeat3 > 0:   :...Front_Left_Temp_Setpt > 152: 0 (21)   Front_Left_Temp_Setpt <= 152:    :...AirAmb_Te_Actl <= 5.594171:    :...AirAmb_Te_ActlFilt <= −2.632576: 1 (6)     :AirAmb_Te_ActlFilt > −2.632576: 0 (45)     AirAmb_Te_Actl > 5.594171:    :...InCarTemp > 26.7017: 1 (25)      InCarTemp <= 26.7017:     :...InCarTemp <= 24.46211:       :...InCarTemp <= 18.35714: 0 (7/1)      : InCarTemp > 18.35714: 1 (44/3)       InCarTemp > 24.46211:      :...AirAmb_Te_ActlFilt <= 5.649194: 1 (10/2)      AirAmb_Te_ActlFilt > 5.649194: 0 (23)

Those skilled in the art will understand how to decipher the abovePre-Established Predicative Activation Model. Each line includes anidentifier related to a specific Certain Identifiable Condition. Forexample, the first line “AirAmb_Te_Actl>12.17466:” includes theidentifier “AirAmb_Te_Actl,” which as set forth above means ambienttemperature. Each line includes a value related to the preceding CertainIdentifiable Condition. For example, the first line““AirAmb_Te_Actl>12.17466:” includes the value “12.17466,” which means12.17466 degrees Celsius. Each line includes a conditional statement.For example, the first line “AirAmb_Te_Actl>12.17466:” can be read tomean “if the ambient temperature is greater than 12.17466 and.” Thereading would then proceed to the second and third lines, which areindented and otherwise identified as subservient to the first line. Thesecond line includes an identifier and value as before and furtherincludes a conclusion denoted by “0” following the colon “:”. The “0”signifies deactivation/non-activation of the temperature alteringelement 24 to impart heating. In contrast, the third line includes “:1”signifying activation of the temperature altering element 24 to impartheating. (The values for front passenger side temperature set point(“Front_Rt_Temp_Setpt”) and front operator side temperature set point(“Front_Left_Temp_Setpt”) used herein are without units, with a rangebetween 119 and 171. That range linearly correlates with 60 degrees F.and 85 degrees F., respectively. Thus, the value in the second line“Front_Rt_Temp_Setpt<=154.9836” would roughly equate to 77.3 degreesFahrenheit.) Therefore, the first, second, and third lines together

AirAmb_Te_Actl>12.17466:

: . . . Front_Rt_Temp_Setpt<=154.9836: 0(288)

: Front_Rt_Temp_Setpt>154.9836: 1(18/1) can be read as: If the ambienttemperature is greater than 12.17466 degrees Celsius and the frontpassenger side set point temperature is less than or equal to 154.9836(77.3 degrees Fahrenheit), then the temperature altering element 24 isnot activated to impart heating (or deactivated if it is alreadyimparting heat); but if the ambient temperature is greater than 12.17466degrees Celsius and the front passenger side set point temperature isgreater than 154.9836 (77.3 degrees Fahrenheit), then the temperaturealtering element 24 is activated to impart heat.

The above example is a relatively simple Pre-Established PredicativeActivation Model for heating, because the Pre-Established PredicativeActivation Model established rules that are a function of only severalof the Certain Identifiable Conditions, namely the ambient temperature(“AirAmb_Te_Actl” and “AirAmb_Te_ActlFilt”), the front passenger sidetemperature set point (“Front_Rt_Temp_Setpt”), the hour of the daysegmented into whether it is morning (“isMorning”), the in-vehicletemperature (“InCarTemp”), the temperature differential between theambient temperature and the in-vehicle temperature (“tempDiff”), whetherthe occupant has requested the vehicle to heat the interior with highblower speed (“turnOnHeat3”), and the front operator side temperatureset point (“Front_Left_Temp_Setpt”).

More specifically, referring now to FIG. 5, at step 60, the controller26 determines whether the ambient temperature is greater than 12.17466degrees Celsius, or less than or equal to 12.17466 degrees Celsius. Ifthe controller 26 determines that the ambient temperature is greaterthan 12.17466 degrees Celsius (“AirAmb_Te_Actl>12.17466”), then, at step62, the controller 26 determines whether the front passenger sidetemperature set point (“Front_Rt_Temp_Setpt”) is greater than a certaintemperature (“Front_Rt_Temp_Setpt>154.9836”), or less than or equal tothe certain temperature (“Front_Rt_Temp_Setpt<=154.9836”). If thecontroller 26 determines that the front passenger side temperature setpoint (“Front_Rt_Temp_Setpt”) is greater than a certain temperature(“Front_Rt_Temp_Setpt>154.9836”), then at step 64, the controller 26activates the temperature altering element 24 to impart heat. Incontrast, if the controller 26 determines that the front passenger sidetemperature set point (“Front_Rt_Temp_Setpt”) is less than or equal tothe certain temperature (“Front_Rt_Temp_Setpt<=154.9836”), then at step66, the controller 26 does not activate the temperature altering element24 to impart heat or, if the controller 26 had already activated thetemperature altering element 24 to impart heat, deactivates thetemperature altering element 24. In other words, when the ambienttemperature is greater than the certain temperature(“AirAmb_Te_Actl>12.17466”), the Pre-established Predictive Model, atsteps 62 and 64, would initially automatically activate the temperaturealtering element 24 as a function of the front passenger sidetemperature set point (“Front_Rt_Temp_Setpt”).

If instead the controller 26 determines at step 60 that the ambienttemperature is less than or equal to the certain temperature(“AirAmb_Te_Actl<=12.17466”), the controller 26 then first determines,at step 68, the hour of the day segmented into whether it is morning(“isMorning”). At step 68, if the controller 26 determines that it isnot a morning hour (“isMorning<=0”), then the controller 26, at step 70,does not activate the temperature altering element 24 to impart heat or,if the controller 26 had already activated the temperature alteringelement 24 to impart heat, deactivates the temperature altering element24. In contrast, at step 68, if the controller 26 determines that it isa morning hour (“isMorning>0”), then the controller 26 proceeds to step72, where the controller 26 determines whether the occupant hasrequested the vehicle 10 to heat the interior 12 with high blower speed(“turnOnHeat3”). If, at step 72, the controller 26 determines that theoccupant has not requested the vehicle 10 to heat the interior 12 withhigh blower speed (“turnOnHeat3<=0”), then the controller 26 determines,at step 74, whether the temperature differential between the ambienttemperature and the in-vehicle 10 temperature (“tempDiff”) is greater orless than a certain amount. If, at step 74, the controller 26 determinesthat the temperature differential between the ambient temperature andthe in-vehicle 10 temperature is less than or equal to a certain amount(“tempDiff<=3.670543”) (3.67 degrees Celsius), then the controller 26,at step 76, does not activate the temperature altering element 24 toproduce heat or, if the controller 26 had already activated thetemperature altering element 24 to produce heat, deactivates thetemperature altering element 24. However, if, at step 74, the controller26 determines that the temperature differential between the ambienttemperature and the in-vehicle 10 temperature is greater than thecertain amount (“tempDiff>3.670543”), then the controller 26, at step78, activates the temperature altering element 24 to produce heat.

If, at step 72, the controller 26 determines that the occupant hasrequested the vehicle 10 to heat the interior 12 with high blower speed(“turnOnHeat3>0”), then the controller 26 determines, at step 80,whether the front operator side temperature set point(“Front_Left_Temp_Setpt”) is greater or less than a certain amount. If,at step 80, the controller 26 determines that the front operator sidetemperature set point is greater than a certain temperature(“Front_Left_Temp_Setpt>152”), then the controller 26, at step 82, doesnot activate the temperature altering element 24 to produce heat or, ifthe controller 26 had already activated the temperature altering element24 to produce heat, deactivates the temperature altering element 24.However, if the controller 26, at step 80, determines that the frontoperator side temperature set point is less than or equal to the certaintemperature (“Front_Left_Temp_Setpt<=152”), then the controller 26proceeds to step 84. At step 84, the controller 26 determines whetherthe ambient temperature (“AirAmb_Te_Actl”) is greater or less than acertain temperature. If, at step 84, the controller 26 determines thatthe ambient temperature is less than or equal to a certain temperature(“AirAmb_Te_Actl<=5.594171”), then the controller 26 proceeds to step86. At step 86, the controller 26 again determines whether the ambienttemperature (“AirAmb_Te_ActlFilt”) is greater or less than a certaintemperature. If the controller 26 determines, at step 86, that theambient temperature is less than or equal to the certain temperature(“AirAmb_Te_ActlFilt<=−2.632576”), then the controller 26, at step 88,activates the temperature altering element 24 to produce heat. However,if the controller 26 determines at step 86 that the ambient temperatureis greater than the certain temperature(“AirAmb_Te_ActlFilt>−2.632576”), then the controller 26, at step 90,does not activate the temperature altering element 24 to produce heator, if the controller 26 had already activated the temperature alteringelement 24 to produce heat, deactivates the temperature altering element24.

Returning back to step 84, if the controller 26 determines that theambient temperature is greater than the certain temperature(“AirAmb_Te_Actl>5.594171”), then the controller 26 proceeds to step 92.At step 92, the controller 26 determines whether the in-vehicle 10temperature (“InCarTemp”) is greater or less than a certain temperature.If the controller 26 determines at step 92 that the in-vehicle 10temperature is greater than the certain temperature(“InCarTemp>26.7017”), then the controller 26, at step 94, activates thetemperature altering element 24 to impart heat. However, if thecontroller 26 determines at step 92 that the in-vehicle 10 temperatureis less than or equal to the certain temperature (“InCarTemp<=26.7017”),then the controller 26 proceeds to step 96 to again determine whetherthe in-vehicle 10 temperature (“InCarTemp”) is greater or less than acertain temperature. At step 96, if the controller 26 determines thatthe in-vehicle 10 temperature (“InCarTemp”) is less than or equal to acertain temperature (“InCarTemp<=24.46211”), then the controller 26proceeds to step 98. At step 98, the controller 26 again determineswhether the in-vehicle 10 temperature (“InCarTemp”) is greater or lessthan a certain temperature. At step 98, if the controller 26 determinesthan that the in-vehicle 10 temperature is less than or equal to acertain temperature (“InCarTemp<=18.35714”), then the controller 26, atstep 100, does not activate the temperature altering element 24 toproduce heat or, if the controller 26 had already activated thetemperature altering element 24 to produce heat, deactivates thetemperature altering element 24. However, at step 98, if the controller26 determines that the in-vehicle 10 temperature is greater than thecertain temperature (“InCarTemp>18.35714”), then the controller 26, atstep 102, activates the temperature altering element 24 to impart heat.Returning back to step 96, if the controller 26 determines that thein-vehicle 10 temperature is greater than the certain temperature(“InCarTemp>24.46211”), then the controller 26 proceeds to step 104. Atstep 104, the controller 26 determines whether the ambient temperature(“AirAmb_Te_ActlFilt”) is greater or less than a certain temperature. Atstep 104, if the controller 26 determines that the ambient temperatureis less then or equal to a certain temperature(“AirAmb_Te_ActlFilt<=5.649194”), then the controller 26 proceeds tostep 106 and activates the temperature altering element 24 to impartheat. However, at step 104, if the controller 26 determines that theambient temperature is greater than the certain temperature(“AirAmb_Te_ActlFilt>5.649194”), then the controller 26 proceeds to step108 and does not activate the temperature altering element 24 to produceheat or, if the controller 26 had already activated the temperaturealtering element 24 to produce heat, deactivates the temperaturealtering element.

Note that, according to the rules of the Pre-established PredictiveActivation Model formed pursuant to this CART analysis, when the ambienttemperature is determined to be less than the certain temperature(“AirAmb_Te_Actl<=12.17466”), the Pre-established Predictive Model wouldinitially automatically activate the temperature altering element 24first as a function of the time of day (whether it is a morning hour ornot) (“isMorning”). Even this relatively simple Pre-establishedPredictive Activation Model (for heating) demonstrates an advantage ofsuch a model. Pursuant to the rule of the model below, although theambient temperature might be considered cold enough (“less than or equalto 21.17466 degrees Celsius) to assume that an occupant of the firstseating assembly 14 would want the temperature altering element 24 toimpart heat, the rule of the Pre-established Predictive Activation Modeldoes not activate/deactivates the temperature altering element 24 if thehour of the day is not considered a morning hour (“isMorning<=0: 0”),the last “0” signifying not activation/deactivation.

AirAmb_Te_Actl<=12.17466:

: . . . isMorning<=0: 0 (120) An automatic control system based only onambient temperature might automatically activate the temperaturealtering element 24 to impart heat against the desires of the occupant,resulting in disuse of the automatic control system. The Pre-establishedPredictive Activation Model of this disclosure, made via a CARTanalysis, identifies and forms rules to cover such potentiallycounter-intuitive circumstances.

Another example Pre-established Predictive Activation Model for heatingformed pursuant to a C.50 program CART analysis of the data taken fromthe Test Vehicles relating to the Certain Identifiable Conditions is setforth below. This Pre-established Predictive Activation Model forheating set forth the rules governing when and whether the controller 26activates/deactivates the temperature altering element 24 to impart heatas a function of input data relating to the Certain IdentifiableConditions in reference to vehicle 10. The example Pre-establishedPredictive Activation Model for heating is:

Smart_Wiper_Motor_Stat > 0: 0 (134) Smart_Wiper_Motor_Stat <= 0::...AC_Request <= 1.358025: 0 (167/3)  AC_Request > 1.358025: :...Front_Rt_Temp_Setpt > 148:   :...Front_Rt_Temp_Setpt > 154.9836: 1(14)   :  Front_Rt_Temp_Setpt <= 154.9836:   :  :...AirAmb_Te_ActlFilt >7.580769: 0 (73)   :   AirAmb_Te_ActlFilt <= 7.580769:   :  :...AirAmb_Te_ActlFilt <= −2.632576: 1 (14)   :   AirAmb_Te_ActlFilt > −2.632576:   :    :...Front_Rear_Blower_Req <=20.3375: 0 (27)   :     Front_Rear_Blower_Req > 20.3375:   :    :...AirAmb_Te_ActlFilt <= 5.283582: 0 (19)   :     AirAmb_Te_ActlFilt > 5.283582: 1 (31)   Front_Rt_Temp_Setpt <= 148:  :...Front_Left_Temp_Setpt > 150: 0 (74)    Front_Left_Temp_Setpt <=150:    :...AirAmb_Te_Actl > 12.2037: 0 (48)     AirAmb_Te_Actl <=12.2037:     :...AirAmb_Te_Actl <= 6.929124:      :...Veh_V_ActlEng >19.2492: 0 (51)      :  Veh_V_ActlEng <= 19.2492:      : :...EngAout_N_Actl <= 893.8228: 0 (4)      :   EngAout_N_Actl >893.8228: 1 (3)      AirAmb_Te_Actl > 6.929124:      :...InCarTemp >24.47753:       :...AirAmb_Te_ActlFilt <= 6.353571: 1 (2)       : AirAmb_Te_ActlFilt > 6.353571: 0 (13)       InCarTemp <= 24.47753:      :...Veh_V_ActlEng > 29.94641: 1 (45/9)        Veh_V_ActlEng <=29.94641:        :...Smart_Wiper_Motor_Stat_UB <= 0.9605263: 1 (3)        Smart_Wiper_Motor_Stat_UB > 0.9605263: 0 (6)

The rules of this example Pre-established Predictive Activation Modelfor heating is hereinafter further explained, with the aid of FIGS. 6Aand 6B. The controller 26 at step 110 determines whether automaticwindshield wipers are wiping because of sensed rain(“Smart_Wiper_Motor_Stat”). At step 110, if the controller 26 determinesthat the automatic windshield wipers are wiping(“Smart_Wiper_Motor_Stat>0”), then the controller 26, at step 112, doesnot activate the temperature altering element 24 to produce heat or, ifthe controller 26 had already activated the temperature altering element24 to produce heat, deactivates the temperature altering element 24.However, at step 110, if the controller 26 determines that the automaticwindshield wipers are not wiping (“Smart_Wiper_Motor_Stat<=0”), then thecontroller 26 proceeds to step 114. At step 114, the controller 26determines whether the operator has activated an air conditioningfunction (“AC_Request”). At step 114, if the controller 26 determinesthat the operator has activated an air conditioning function(“AC_Request<=1.358025”), then the controller 26 at step 116 does notactivate the temperature altering element 24 to produce heat or, if thecontroller 26 had already activated the temperature altering element 24to produce heat, deactivates the temperature altering element 24.However, at step 114, if the controller 26 determines that the operatorhas not activated an air conditioning function (“AC_Request>1.358025”),then the controller 26 proceeds to step 118. At step 118, the controller26 determines whether the front passenger side temperature set point(“Front_Rt_Temp_Setpt”) is greater or less than a certain temperature.At step 118, if the controller 26 determines that the front passengerside temperature set point is greater than a certain temperature(“Front_Rt_Temp_Setpt>148”), then the controller 26 proceeds to step120. At step 120, if the controller 26 determines that the frontpassenger side temperature set point is greater than a certaintemperature (“Front_Rt_Temp_Setpt>154.9836”), then the controller 26activates the temperature altering element 24, at step 122, to produceheat. However, at step 120, if the controller 26 determines that thefront passenger side temperature set point is less than or equal to thecertain temperature (“Front_Rt_Temp_Setpt<=154.9836”), the controller 26proceeds to step 124. At step 124, the controller 26 determines whetherthe ambient air temperature (“AirAmb_Te_ActlFilt”) is greater than orless than a certain temperature. At step 124, if the controller 26determines that the ambient air temperature is greater than a certaintemperature (“AirAmb_Te_ActlFilt>7.580769”), then, at step 126, thecontroller 26 does not activate the temperature altering element 24 toproduce heat or, if the controller 26 had already activated thetemperature altering element 24 to produce heat, deactivates thetemperature altering element 24. However, if at step 124 the controller26 determines that the ambient air temperature is less than or equal tothe certain temperature (“AirAmb_Te_ActlFilt<=7.580769”), then thecontroller 26 proceeds to step 128. At step 128, the controller 26 againdetermines whether the ambient temperature (“AirAmb_Te_ActlFilt”) isgreater or less than a certain temperature. At step 128, if thecontroller 26 determines that the ambient temperature is less than orequal to a certain temperature (“AirAmb_Te_ActlFilt<=−2.632576”), thenthe controller 26, at step 130, activates the temperature alteringelement 24 to impart heat. However, at step 128, if the controller 26determines that the ambient temperature is greater than the certaintemperature (“AirAmb_Te_ActlFilt>−2.632576”), then the controller 26proceeds to step 132. At step 132, the controller 26 determines whetherthe vehicle's climate control system is blowing air greater than or lessthan a certain level (“Front_Rear_Blower_Req”). At step 132, if thecontroller 26 determines that the vehicle's 10 climate control system isblowing air at a level less than or equal to a certain level(“Front_Rear_Blower_Req<=20.3375”), then the controller 26, at step 134,does not activate the temperature altering element 24 to produce heator, if the controller 26 had already activated the temperature alteringelement 24 to produce heat, deactivates the temperature altering element24. However, if at step 132 the controller 26 determines that thevehicle's 10 climate control system is blowing air at a level greaterthan the certain level (“Front_Rear_Blower_Req>20.3375”), then thecontroller 26 proceeds to step 136. At step 136, the controller 26determines whether the ambient temperature (“AirAmb_Te_ActlFilt”) isgreater than or less than a certain temperature. At step 136, if thecontroller 26 determines that the ambient temperature is less than orequal to a certain temperature (“AirAmb_Te_ActlFilt<=5.283582”), thenthe controller 26, at step 138, does not activate the temperaturealtering element 24 to produce heat or, if the controller 26 had alreadyactivated the temperature altering element 24 to produce heat,deactivates the temperature altering element 24. However, at step 136,if the controller 26 determines that the ambient temperature is greaterthan the certain temperature (“AirAmb_Te_ActlFilt>5.283582”), then thecontroller 26, at step 140, activates the temperature altering element24 to impart heat.

If at step 118 the controller 26 determines that the front passengerside temperature set point is less than or equal to the certaintemperature (“Front_Rt_Temp_Setpt<=148”), then the controller 26proceeds to step 142. At step 142, the controller 26 determines whetherthe front operator side temperature set point (“Front_Left_Temp_Setpt”)is greater or less than a certain temperature. At step 142, if thecontroller 26 determines that the front operator side temperature setpoint is greater than a certain temperature(“Front_Left_Temp_Setpt>150”), then the controller 26, at step 144, doesnot activate the temperature altering element 24 to produce heat or, ifthe controller 26 had already activated the temperature altering element24 to produce heat, deactivates the temperature altering element 24.However, at step 142, if the controller 26 determines that the frontoperator side temperature set point is less than or equal to the certaintemperature (“Front_Left_Temp_Setpt<=150”), then the controller 26proceeds to step 146. At step 146, the controller 26 determines whetherthe ambient temperature (“AirAmb_Te_Actl”) is greater or less than acertain temperature. At step 146, if the controller 26 determines thatthe ambient temperature is greater than a certain temperature(“AirAmb_Te_Actl>12.2037”), then the controller 26, at step 147, doesnot activate the temperature altering element 24 to produce heat or, ifthe controller 26 had already activated the temperature altering element24 to produce heat, deactivates the temperature altering element 24.However, at step 146, if the controller 26 determines that the ambienttemperature is less than or equal to the certain temperature(“AirAmb_Te_Actl<=12.2037”), then the controller 26 proceeds to step148. At step 148, the controller 26 again determines whether the ambienttemperature (“AirAmb_Te_Actl”) is greater than or less than a certaintemperature. At step 148, if the controller 26 determines that theambient temperature is less than or equal to a certain temperature(“AirAmb_Te_Actl<=6.929124”), then the controller 26 proceeds to step150. At step 150, the controller 26 determines whether the vehicle 10speed is greater than or less than a certain value. At step 150, if thecontroller 26 determines that the vehicle 10 speed is greater than acertain value (“Veh_V_ActlEng>19.2492”), then the controller 26, at step152, does not activate the temperature altering element 24 to produceheat or, if the controller 26 had already activated the temperaturealtering element 24 to produce heat, deactivates the temperaturealtering element 24. However, at step 150, if the controller 26determines that the vehicle 10 speed is less than or equal to thecertain value (“Veh_V_ActlEng<=19.2492”), then the controller 26proceeds to step 154. At step 154, the controller 26 determines whetherengine speed (“EngAout_N_Actl”) is greater or less than a certain value.At step 154, if the controller 26 determines that the engine speed isless than or equal to a certain value (“EngAout_N_Actl<=893.8228”), thenthe controller 26, at step 156, does not activate the temperaturealtering element 24 to produce heat or, if the controller 26 had alreadyactivated the temperature altering element 24 to produce heat,deactivates the temperature altering element 24. However, at step 154,if the controller 26 determines that the engine speed is greater thanthe certain value (“EngAout_N_Actl>893.8228”), then the controller 26,at step 158, activates the temperature altering element 24 to impartheat. Referring back to step 148, if the controller 26 determines thatthe ambient temperature is greater than the certain temperature(“AirAmb_Te_Actl>6.929124”), then the controller 26 proceeds to step160. At step 160, the controller 26 determines whether the in-vehicle 10temperature (“InCarTemp”) is greater than or less than a certaintemperature. At step 160, if the controller 26 determines that thein-vehicle 10 temperature is greater than a certain value(“InCarTemp>24.47753”), then the controller 26 proceeds to step 162. Atstep 162, the controller 26 again determines whether the ambienttemperature (“AirAmb_Te_ActlFilt”) is greater or less than a certaintemperature. At step 162, if the controller 26 determines that theambient temperature is less than or equal to a certain temperature(“AirAmb_Te_ActlFilt<=6.353571), then the controller 26, at step 164,activates the temperature altering element 24 to impart heat. However,if the controller 26 determines, at step 162, that the ambienttemperature is greater than the certain temperature(“AirAmb_Te_ActlFilt>6.353571”), then the controller 26, at step 166,does not activate the temperature altering element 24 to produce heator, if the controller 26 had already activated the temperature alteringelement 24 to produce heat, deactivates the temperature altering element24. Referring back to step 160, if the controller 26 determines that thein-vehicle 10 temperature is less than or equal to the certaintemperature (“InCarTemp<=24.47753”), then the controller 26 proceeds tostep 168. At step 168, the controller 26 determines whether the vehicle10 speed (“Veh_V_ActlEng”) is greater than or less than a certain speed.At step 168, if the controller 26 determines that the vehicle 10 speedis greater than a certain speed (“Veh_V_ActlEng>29.94641”), then thecontroller 26, at step 170, activates the temperature altering elementto impart heat. However, at step 168, if the controller 26 determinesthat the vehicle 10 speed is less than or equal to the certain speed(“Veh_V_ActlEng<=29.94641”), then the controller 26 proceeds to step172. At step 172, the controller 26 determines whether the whetherautomatic windshield wipers are wiping because of sensed rain(“Smart_Wiper_Motor_Stat UB”). At step 172, if the controller 26determines that the automatic windshield wipers are not wiping becauseof sensed rain (Smart_Wiper_Motor_Stat UB<=0.9605263), then thecontroller 26, at step 174, activates the temperature altering element24 to impart heat. However, at step 172, if the controller 26 determinesthat the automatic windshield wipers are wiping because of sensed rain(“Smart_Wiper_Motor_Stat_UB>0.9605263”), then the controller 26, at step176, does not activate the temperature altering element 24 to produceheat or, if the controller 26 had already activated the temperaturealtering element 24 to produce heat, deactivates the temperaturealtering element 24.

An example Pre-established Predictive Activation Model for coolingformed pursuant to a C.50 program CART analysis of the data taken fromthe Test Vehicles relating to the Certain Identifiable Conditions is setforth below. This Pre-established Predictive Activation Model forcooling sets forth the rules governing when and whether the controller26 activates/deactivates the temperature altering element 24 to impartcooling as a function of input data relating to the Certain IdentifiableConditions in reference to vehicle 10. The example Pre-establishedPredictive Activation Model for cooling is:

InCarTemp <= 24.07895: 0 (793) InCarTemp > 24.07895::...AirAmb_Te_ActlFilt <= 20.35959: 0 (75)  AirAmb_Te_ActlFilt >20.35959:  :...Front_Rear_Blower_Req <= 1.785714:  :...Overriding_ModeReq > 0.4810127: 0 (14)   :  Overriding_ModeReq <=0.4810127:   :  :...AirAmb_Te_ActlFilt <= 21.76103: 1 (53/7)   :  AirAmb_Te_ActlFilt > 21.76103:   :   :...InCarTemp <= 26.8012:   :   :...InCarTemp <= 24.73298:   :    :  :...AirAmb_Te_Actl_UB <=0.9703704: 0 (6)   :    :  : AirAmb_Te_Actl_UB > 0.9703704: 1 (2)   :   :  InCarTemp > 24.73298:   :    :  :...Veh_V_ActlEng <= 67.21477: 1(23)   :    :   Veh_V_ActlEng > 67.21477: 0 (4/1)   :    InCarTemp >26.8012:   :    :...AC_Request > 0.375: 0 (16)   :     AC_Request <=0.375:   :     :...AirAmb_Te_Actl <= 22.88243: 0 (15/1)   :     AirAmb_Te_Actl > 22.88243:   :      :...AirAmb_Te_ActlFilt <=23.40385: 1 (7/1)   :       AirAmb_Te_ActlFilt > 23.40385: 0 (15/4)  Front_Rear_Blower_Req > 1.785714:   :...InCarTemp <= 25.14154: 0 (33)   InCarTemp > 25.14154:    :...EngAout_N_Actl > 1359.044: 0 (41/1)    EngAout_N_Actl <= 1359.044:     :...AC_Request <= 0.8536586: 0 (8)     AC_Request > 0.8536586:      :...Veh_V_ActlEng > 66.09882: 1 (4)      Veh_V_ActlEng <= 66.09882:       :...Front_Rear_Blower_Req <=3.236842:        :...EngAout_N_Actl <= 1314.136: 0 (44/6)        :EngAout_N_Actl > 1314.136: 1 (4/1)        Front_Rear_Blower_Req >3.236842:        :...Smart_Wiper_Motor_Stat_UB <= 0.8877551: 0 (5)        Smart_Wiper_Motor_Stat_UB > 0.8877551: 1 (7/1)

The rules of this example Pre-established Predictive Activation Modelfor cooling is hereinafter further explained, with the aid of FIGS. 7Aand 7B. At step 178, the controller 26 initially determines whether thein-vehicle 10 temperature (“InCarTemp”) is greater than or less than acertain temperature. At step 178, if the controller 26 determines thatthe in-vehicle 10 temperature is less than or equal to a certaintemperature (“InCarTemp<=24.07895”), then the controller 26, at step180, does not activate the temperature altering element 24 to providecooling or, if the controller 26 had already activated the temperaturealtering element 24 to provide cooling, deactivates the temperaturealtering element 24. However, at step 178, if the controller 26determines that the in-vehicle 10 temperature is greater than thecertain temperature (“InCarTemp>24.07895”), then the controller 26proceeds to step 182. At step 182, the controller 26 determines whetherthe ambient temperature (“AirAmb_Te_ActlFilt”) is greater or less than acertain temperature. At step 182, if the controller 26 determines thatthe ambient temperature is less than or equal to a certain temperature(“AirAmb_Te_ActlFilt<=20.35959”), then the controller 26, at step 184,does not activate the temperature altering element 24 to provide coolingor, if the controller 26 had already activated the temperature alteringelement 24 to provide cooling, deactivates the temperature alteringelement 24. However, at step 182 if the controller 26 determines thatthe ambient temperature is greater than the certain temperature(“AirAmb_Te_ActlFilt>20.35959”), then the controller 26 proceeds to step186. At step 186, the controller 26 determines whether the level atwhich the vehicle's 10 climate control system is blowing air(“Front_Rear_Blower_Req”) is greater or less than a certain level. Atstep 186, if the controller 26 determines that the vehicle's 10 climatecontrol system is blowing air at a level less than or equal to a certainlevel (“Front_Rear_Blower_Req<=1.785714”), then the controller 26proceeds to step 188. At step 188, the controller 26 determines whetherthe operator has activated a rear window defrost function(“Overriding_ModeReq”). At step 188, if the controller 26 determinesthat the operator has activated a rear window defrost function(“Overriding_ModeReq>0.4810127”), then the controller 26, at step 190,activates the temperature altering element 24 to providing cooling.However, at step 188, if the controller 26 determines that the operatorhas not activated a rear window defrost function(“Overriding_ModeReq<=0.4810127”), then the controller 26 proceeds tostep 192. At step 192, the controller 26 determines whether the ambienttemperature (“AirAmb_Te_ActlFilt”) is greater than or less than acertain temperature. At step 192, if the controller 26 determines thatthe ambient temperature is less than or equal to a certain temperature(“AirAmb_Te_ActlFilt<=21.76103”), then the controller 26, at step 194,activates the temperature altering element 24 to providing cooling.However, at step 192, if the controller 26 determines that the ambienttemperature is greater than the certain temperature(“AirAmb_Te_ActlFilt>21.76103”), then the controller 26 proceeds to step196. At step 196, the controller 26 determines whether the in-vehicle 10temperature is greater than or less than a certain temperature(“InCarTemp”). At step 196, if the in-vehicle temperature is less thanor equal to a certain temperature (“InCarTemp<=26.8012”), then thecontroller 26 proceeds to step 198. At step 198, the controller 26 againdetermines whether the in-vehicle 10 temperature (“InCarTemp”) isgreater than or less than a certain temperature. At step 198, if thecontroller 26 determines that the in-vehicle 10 temperature is less thanor equal to a certain temperature (“InCarTemp<=24.73298”), then thecontroller 26 proceeds to step 200. At step 200, the controller 26determines whether the ambient temperature (“AirAmb_Te_Actl_UB”) isabove or below a certain temperature. At step 200, if the controller 26determines that the ambient temperature is less than or equal to acertain temperature (“AirAmb_Te_Actl_UB<=0.9703704”), then thecontroller 26, at step 202, does not activate the temperature alteringelement 24 to provide cooling or, if the controller 26 had alreadyactivated the temperature altering element 24 to provide cooling,deactivates the temperature altering element 24. However, at step 200,if the controller 26 determines that the ambient temperature is greaterthan the certain temperature (“AirAmb_Te_Actl_UB>0.9703704”), then thecontroller 26 at, step 204, activates the temperature altering element24 to providing cooling. Referring back to step 198, if the controller26 determines that the in-vehicle 10 temperature is greater than thecertain temperature (“InCarTemp>24.73298”), then the controller 26proceeds to step 206. At step 206, the controller 26 determines whetherthe vehicle 10 speed (“Veh_V_ActlEng”) is greater than or less than acertain value. At step 206, if the controller 26 determines that thevehicle 10 speed is less than or equal to a certain value(“Veh_V_ActlEng<=67.21477), then the controller 26, at step 208,activates the temperature altering element 24 to providing cooling.However, at step 206, if the controller 26 determines that the vehicle10 speed is greater than the certain value (“Veh_V_ActlEng>67.21477”),then the controller 26, at step 210, does not activate the temperaturealtering element 24 to provide cooling or, if the controller 26 hadalready activated the temperature altering element 24 to providecooling, deactivates the temperature altering element 24.

Referring back to step 196, if the controller 26 determines that thein-vehicle 10 temperature is greater than the certain value(“InCarTemp>26.8012”), then the controller 26 proceeds to step 214. Atstep 214, the controller 26 determines whether the operator hasactivated an air conditioning function (“AC_Request”). At step 214, ifthe controller 26 determines that the operator has activated an airconditioning function (“AC_Request>0.375”), then the controller 26, atstep 216, does not activate the temperature altering element 24 toprovide cooling or, if the controller 26 had already activated thetemperature altering element 24 to provide cooling, deactivates thetemperature altering element 24. However, at step 214, if the controller26 determines that the operator has not activated an air conditioningfunction (“AC_Request<=0.375”), then the controller 26 proceeds to step218. At step 218, the controller 26 determines whether the ambienttemperature is greater than or less than a certain temperature. At step218, if the controller 26 determines that the ambient temperature isless than or equal to a certain temperature(“AirAmb_Te_Actl<=22.88243”), then the controller 26, at step 220, doesnot activate the temperature altering element 24 to provide cooling or,if the controller 26 had already activated the temperature alteringelement 24 to provide cooling, deactivates the temperature alteringelement 24. However, at step 218, if the controller 26 determines thatthe ambient temperature is greater than the certain temperature(“AirAmb_Te_Actl>22.88243”), then the controller 26 proceeds to step222. At step 222, the controller 26 determines whether the ambienttemperature (“AirAmb_Te_ActlFilt”) is again greater than or less than acertain temperature. At step 222, if the controller 26 determines thatthe ambient temperature is less than or equal to a certain temperature(“AirAmb_Te_ActlFilt<=23.40385”), then the controller 26, at step 224,activates the temperature altering element 24 to providing cooling.However, at step 222, if the controller 26 determines that the ambienttemperature is greater than the certain temperature(“AirAmb_Te_ActlFilt>23.40385”), then the controller 26, at step 226,does not activate the temperature altering element 24 to provide coolingor, if the controller 26 had already activated the temperature alteringelement 24 to provide cooling, deactivates the temperature alteringelement 24.

Referring now to FIG. 7B, at step 186, if the controller 26 determinesthat the vehicle's 10 climate control system is blowing air at a levelgreater than the certain level (“Front_Rear_Blower_Req>1.785714”), thenthe controller 26 proceeds to step 228. At step 228, the controller 26determines whether the in-vehicle 10 temperature (“InCarTemp”) isgreater than or less than a certain temperature. At step 228, if thecontroller 26 determines that the in-vehicle 10 is less than or equal toa certain temperature (“InCarTemp<=25.14154”), then the controller 26,at step 230, does not activate the temperature altering element 24 toprovide cooling or, if the controller 26 had already activated thetemperature altering element 24 to provide cooling, deactivates thetemperature altering element 24. However, at step 228, if the controller26 determines that the in-vehicle 10 temperature is greater than thecertain temperature (“InCarTemp>25.14154”), then the controller 26proceeds to step 232. At step 232, the controller 26 determines whetherthe engine speed (“EngAout_N_Actl”) is greater or less than a certainvalue. At step 232, if the controller 26 determines that the enginespeed is greater than a certain value (“EngAout_N_Actl>1359.044”), thenthe controller 26, at step 234, does not activate the temperaturealtering element 24 to provide cooling or, if the controller 26 hadalready activated the temperature altering element 24 to providecooling, deactivates the temperature altering element 24. However, atstep 232, if the controller 26 determines that the engine speed is lessthan or equal to a certain value (“EngAout_N_Actl<=1359.044”), then thecontroller 26 proceeds to step 236. At step 236, the controller 26determines whether the operator has activated an air conditioningfunction (“AC_Request”). At step 236, if the controller 26 determinesthat the operator has not activated an air conditioning function(“AC_Request<=0.8536586”), then the controller 26, at step 238, does notactivate the temperature altering element 24 to provide cooling or, ifthe controller 26 had already activated the temperature altering element24 to provide cooling, deactivates the temperature altering element 24.However, at step 236, if the controller 26 determines that the operatorhas activated an air conditioning function (“AC_Request>0.8536586”),then the controller 26 proceeds to step 240. At step 240, the controller26 determines whether the vehicle 10 speed (“Veh_V_ActlEng”) is greaterthan or less than a certain value. At step 240, if the controller 26determines that the vehicle 10 speed is greater than a certain value(“Veh_V_ActlEng>66.09882”), then the controller 26, at step 242,activates the temperature altering element 24 to provide cooling.However, at step 240, if the controller 26 determines that the vehicle10 speed is less than or equal to the certain value(“Veh_V_ActlEng<=66.09882”), then the controller 26 proceeds to step244. At step 244, the controller 26 determines whether the level atwhich the vehicle's 10 climate control system is blowing air(“Front_Rear_Blower_Req”) is greater or less than a certain level. Atstep 244, if the controller 26 determines that the vehicle's 10 climatecontrol system is blowing air at a level that is less than or equal at acertain level (“Front_Rear_Blower_Req<=3.236842”), then the controller26 proceeds to step 246. At step 246, the controller 26 determineswhether the engine speed (“EngAout_N_Actl”) is greater or less than acertain value. At step 246, if the controller 26 determines that theengine speed is less than or equal to a certain value(“EngAout_N_Actl<=1314.136”), then the controller 26, at step 248, doesnot activate the temperature altering element 24 to provide cooling or,if the controller 26 had already activated the temperature alteringelement 24 to provide cooling, deactivates the temperature alteringelement 24. However, at step 246, if the controller 26 determines thatthe engine speed is greater than a certain value(“EngAout_N_Actl>1314.136”), then the controller 26, at step 250,activates the temperature altering element 24 to provide cooling.Referring back to step 244, if the controller 26 determines that thevehicle's 10 climate control system is blowing air at a level that isgreater than the certain level (“Front_Rear_Blower_Req>3.236842”), thenthe controller 26 proceeds to step 252. At step 252, the controller 26determines the whether automatic windshield wipers are wiping because ofsensed rain (“Smart_Wiper_Motor_Stat UB”). At step 252, if thecontroller 26 determines that the automatic windshield wipers are notwiping (“Smart_Wiper_Motor_Stat UB<=0.8877551”), then the controller 26,at step 254, does not activate the temperature altering element 24 toprovide cooling or, if the controller 26 had already activated thetemperature altering element 24 to provide cooling, deactivates thetemperature altering element 24. However, at step 252, if the controller26 determines that the automatic windshield wipers are wiping because ofsensed rain (“Smart_Wiper_Motor_Stat UB>0.8877551”), then the controller26, at step 256, activates the temperature altering element 24 toprovide cooling.

Another example Pre-established Predictive Activation Model for coolingformed pursuant to a C.50 program CART analysis of the data taken fromthe Test Vehicles relating to the Certain Identifiable Conditions is setforth below. This Pre-established Predictive Activation Model forcooling set forth the rules governing when and whether the controller 26activates/deactivates the temperature altering element 24 to impartcooling as a function of input data relating to the Certain IdentifiableConditions in reference to vehicle 10. The example Pre-establishedPredictive Activation Model for cooling is:

AirAmb_Te_ActlFilt <= 24.625: :...InCarTemp > 26.61513: : :...AirAmb_Te_ActlFilt > 23.48864: 0 (82/22) :  :  AirAmb_Te_ActlFilt<= 23.48864: :  :  :...Smart_Wiper_Motor_Stat > 0.962963: :  :  :...EngAout_N_Actl > 1229.604: 0 (22) :  :   :  EngAout_N_Actl <=1229.604: :  :   :  :...Veh_V_ActlEng <= 39.26561: 0 (6) :  :   :  Veh_V_ActlEng > 39.26561: 1 (6/1) :  :   Smart_Wiper_Motor_Stat <=0.962963: :  :   :...AirAmb_Te_Actl_UB <= 0.9536424: 0 (278) :  :   AirAmb_Te_Actl_UB > 0.9536424: :  :    :...Recirc_Request > 1.942857:0 (162/5) :  :     Recirc_Request <= 1.942857: :  :    :...Overriding_ModeReq <= 3.433735: 0 (5) :  :     Overriding_ModeReq > 3.433735: 1 (4) :  InCarTemp <= 26.61513: : :...InCarTemp <= 15.03421: :   :...Smart_Wiper_Motor_Stat <=0.02469136: 0 (193/2) :   :  Smart_Wiper_Motor_Stat > 0.02469136: :   : :...RrDefrost_HtdMirrState <= 0: 0 (26) :   :  RrDefrost_HtdMirrState > 0: 1 (6) :   InCarTemp > 15.03421: :  :...AirAmb_Te_ActlFilt <= 18.74609: 0 (5698) :   AirAmb_Te_ActlFilt >18.74609: :   :...Front_Rt_Temp_Setpt > 140: 0 (1575/7) :   Front_Rt_Temp_Setpt <= 140: :    :...Recirc_Request <= 1.386667: :    :...AC_Request <= 0.4716981: 0 (11) :     : AC_Request > 0.4716981:1 (8) :     Recirc_Request > 1.386667: :     :...AirAmb_Te_ActlFilt >20.61765: 0 (116) :      AirAmb_Te_ActlFilt <= 20.61765: :     :...Veh_V_ActlEng > 78.98829: 0 (37) :       Veh_V_ActlEng <=78.98829: :       :...AirAmb_Te_ActlFilt <= 20.09615: 0 (35/3) :       AirAmb_Te_ActlFilt > 20.09615: :        :...AirAmb_Te_Actl_UB <=0.9739583: 1 (8/1) :         AirAmb_Te_Actl_UB > 0.9739583: 0 (2)AirAmb_Te_ActlFilt > 24.625: :...Overriding_ModeReq > 2: 1 (39) Overriding_ModeReq <= 2:  :...Front_Rt_Temp_Setpt <= 137.1282:  :...Front_Left_Temp_Setpt > 138.9091: 0 (6)   :  Front_Left_Temp_Setpt<= 138.9091:   :  :...AC_Request > 1.865169: 1 (89/1)   :   AC_Request<= 1.865169:   :   :...AirAmb_Te_Actl > 29.97377: 1 (8)   :   AirAmb_Te_Actl <= 29.97377:   :    :...AirAmb_Te_ActlFilt <=26.47635: 1 (6/1)   :     AirAmb_Te_ActlFilt > 26.47635: 0 (5)  Front_Rt_Temp_Setpt > 137.1282:   :...Veh_V_ActlEng_UB <= 0.5419847: 0(65)    Veh_V_ActlEng_UB > 0.5419847:    :...Front_Rt_Temp_Setpt >145.4545:     :...Front_Left_Temp_Setpt <= 141: 1 (3)     : Front_Left_Temp_Setpt > 141: 0 (155/2)     Front_Rt_Temp_Setpt <=145.4545:     :...Smart_Wiper_Motor_Stat > 0: 0 (37/3)     Smart_Wiper_Motor_Stat <= 0:      :...Front_Left_Temp_Setpt <= 141:      :...Front_Left_Temp_Setpt <= 136.4545:       : :...Front_Left_Temp_Setpt > 135.9403: 0 (31/1)       :  : Front_Left_Temp_Setpt <= 135.9403:       :  :  :...EngAout_N_Actl <=717.6779: 0 (2)       :  :   EngAout_N_Actl > 717.6779: 1 (7)       : Front_Left_Temp_Setpt > 136.4545:       :  :...InCarTemp > 31.74133: 1(43/9)       :   InCarTemp <= 31.74133:       :   :...AC_Request <=1.969697: 1 (21/6)       :    AC_Request > 1.969697:       :   :...Veh_V_ActlEng <= 3.155782:       :     :...AirAmb_Te_Actl <=38.275: 0 (35/3)       :     :  AirAmb_Te_Actl > 38.275: 1 (6/2)       :    Veh_V_ActlEng > 3.155782:       :     :...EngAout_N_Actl <=787.2729: 1 (20/1)       :      EngAout_N_Actl > 787.2729:       :     :...AirAmb_Te_ActlFilt <= 27.65357:       :       :...InCarTemp <=27.5: 0 (98/25)       :       :  InCarTemp > 27.5: [S1]       :      AirAmb_Te_ActlFilt > 27.65357: [S2]       Front_Left_Temp_Setpt >141:       :...AC_Request <= 1.962963: 0 (58/4)        AC_Request >1.962963:        :...InCarTemp > 27.98413:        :...Front_Rt_Temp_Setpt > 143.5667:         : :...AirAmb_Te_ActlFilt <= 27.77917: 0 (46/6)         :  : AirAmb_Te_ActlFilt > 27.77917:         :  :  :...EngAout_N_Actl <=1985.537: 0 (56/22)         :  :   EngAout_N_Actl > 1985.537: 1 (11)        :  Front_Rt_Temp_Setpt <= 143.5667:         : :...AirAmb_Te_Actl > 29.28607: 0 (15/1)         :   AirAmb_Te_Actl <=29.28607: [S3]         InCarTemp <= 27.98413:        :...AirAmb_Te_ActlFilt <= 25.1306:          :...AirAmb_Te_Actl >27.47011: 1 (23)          :  AirAmb_Te_Actl <= 27.47011:          : :...AirAmb_Te_ActlFilt > 25.10547: 1 (4)          :  AirAmb_Te_ActlFilt <= 25.10547:          :   :...InCarTemp <=26.84985: 0 (48/5)          :    InCarTemp > 26.84985: 1 (6/1)         AirAmb_Te_ActlFilt > 25.1306:          :...Front_Rt_Temp_Setpt<= 143.1868:           :...Front_Left_Temp_Setpt > 142.08: 0 (12)          :  Front_Left_Temp_Setpt <= 142.08:           : :...Front_Rt_Temp_Setpt <= 140.5128: [S4]           :  Front_Rt_Temp_Setpt > 140.5128: [S5]           Front_Rt_Temp_Setpt >143.1868:           :...InCarTemp <= 24.00275:            :...InCarTemp<= 21.79952: 0 (7)            :  InCarTemp > 21.79952: [S6]           InCarTemp > 24.00275:            :...AirAmb_Te_Actl >30.30851: 0 (69/2)             AirAmb_Te_Actl <= 30.30851:            :...InCarTemp <= 25.34836: 0 (80/10)             InCarTemp > 25.34836: [S7] SubTree [S1]Front_Rt_Temp_Setpt > 140.2687: 1 (17/1) Front_Rt_Temp_Setpt <=140.2687: :...EngAout_N_Actl <= 1844.128: 0 (17/4)  EngAout_N_Actl >1844.128: 1 (6) SubTree [S2] AirAmb_Te_ActlFilt > 33.2: 0 (14/1)AirAmb_Te_ActlFilt <= 33.2: :...InCarTemp <= 27.95664: 1 (132/32) InCarTemp > 27.95664:  :...Front_Rt_Temp_Setpt <= 143: 0 (44/12) Front_Rt_Temp_Setpt > 143:  :...Smart_Wiper_Motor_Stat_UB <= 0.8817204:0 (2)   Smart_Wiper_Motor_Stat_UB > 0.8817204: 1 (7) SubTree [S3]Smart_Wiper_Motor_Stat_UB > 0.9821429: 1 (37/2)Smart_Wiper_Motor_Stat_UB <= 0.9821429: :...AirAmb_Te_ActlFilt <=25.80303: 1 (6)  AirAmb_Te_ActlFilt > 25.80303:  :...AirAmb_Te_ActlFilt<= 28.03788: 0 (5)   AirAmb_Te_ActlFilt > 28.03788: 1 (2) SubTree [S4]AirAmb_Te_ActlFilt <= 27.1194: 0 (8) AirAmb_Te_ActlFilt > 27.1194: 1 (4)SubTree [S5] Front_Rear_Blower_Req <= 7: 1 (7) Front_Rear_Blower_Req >7: 0 (181/27) SubTree [S6] Front_Left_Temp_Setpt <= 143.5455: 1 (38/6)Front_Left_Temp_Setpt > 143.5455: 0 (4) SubTree [S7]Front_Left_Temp_Setpt <= 143.2987: :...EngAout_N_Actl <= 1797.524: : :...EngAout_N_Actl > 917.1869: 0 (40/2) :  :  EngAout_N_Actl <=917.1869: :  :  :...AirAmb_Te_Actl_UB <= 0.982906: 1 (4) :  :  AirAmb_Te_Actl_UB > 0.982906: 0 (2) :  EngAout_N_Actl > 1797.524: : :...AirAmb_Te_Actl <= 26.82122: 0 (2) :   AirAmb_Te_Actl > 26.82122: :  :...InCarTemp <= 27.47801: 1 (8) :    InCarTemp > 27.47801: 0 (2)Front_Left_Temp_Setpt > 143.2987: :...AirAmb_Te_Actl <= 27.26608: :...Smart_Wiper_Motor_Stat_UB <= 0.8627451: 0 (4)  : Smart_Wiper_Motor_Stat_UB > 0.8627451: 1 (56/23)  AirAmb_Te_Actl >27.26608:  :...AirAmb_Te_Actl <= 28.83702: 0 (48/2)   AirAmb_Te_Actl >28.83702:   :...EngAout_N_Actl <= 1421.499:    :...AirAmb_Te_Actl <=29.78175: 1 (13)    :  AirAmb_Te_Actl > 29.78175: 0 (4/1)   EngAout_N_Actl > 1421.499:    :...AirAmb_Te_ActlFilt <= 29.48828: 0(9)     AirAmb_Te_ActlFilt > 29.48828: 1 (3)

The Pre-established Predictive Activation Model for cooling can beinterpreted in the same manner as those preceding it. A value of “0”after the value of the Certain Identifiable Condition—for example, the“0” in “AirAmb_Te_ActlFilt>23.48864: 0(82/22)”—identifies the controller26 not activating the temperature altering element 24 to provide coolingor, if the controller 26 had already activated the temperature alteringelement 24 to provide cooling, deactivating the temperature alteringelement 24. Similarly, a value of “1” after the value of the CertainIdentifiable Condition—for example, the “1” in“Overriding_ModeReq>3.433735: 1”—identifies the controller 26 activatingthe temperature altering element 24 to provide cooling. References to“SubTree” note a continuation of the tree from a reference point. Forexample, the “[S7]” in “InCarTemp>25.34836: [S7]” refers to “SubTree[S7]” and the tree continues as if the “SubTree” were incorporated byreference.

The Pre-established Predictive Level Model(s), which establishes rulesgoverns the level of temperature altering of the temperature alteringelement 24, can be formed pursuant to a neural net analysis or amultilayer perceptron classifier analysis of input data, relating to theCertain Identifiable Conditions, collected from the Test Vehicles as awhole or segmented, as explained above. There are a variety of analysesthat can provide useful results, including the R (Version 3.2.5)statistic programming software and the MultilayerPerceptron classifierthrough Weka (available athttp://weka.sourceforge.net/doc.stable/weka/classifiers/functions/MultilayerPerceptron.html).There are other analyses available and this is not meant to be anexhaustive list. The rules of the Pre-established Predictive LevelModel(s) then govern the level, via the controller 26, at which thetemperature altering element 24 alters temperature within the firstseating assembly 14 as a function of input data to the controller 26relating to the Certain Identifiable Conditions present in vehicle 10.

The method can further comprise automatically deactivating thetemperature altering element 24 pursuant to the Pre-establishedPredictive Activation Model(s), after initially automatically activatingthe temperature altering element 24 pursuant to the Pre-establishedPredictive Activation Model(s), if the collected data relating to theCertain Identifiable Conditions collected after initially automaticallyactivating the temperature altering element 24 satisfy the rules of thePre-established Predictive Activation Model for deactivation of thetemperature altering element 24. For example, using the Pre-establishedPredictive Activation Model for heating formed pursuant to the C.50program set forth above beginning with “AirAmb_Te_Actl>12.17466,” thecontroller 26 would initially automatically activate the temperaturealtering element 24 to impart heat if the ambient temperature wasgreater than 12.17466 degrees Celsius (“AirAmb_Te_Actl>12.17466”), andthe front passenger side temperature set point is greater than 154.9836(i.e., approximately 77.3 degrees Fahrenheit)(“Front_Rt_Temp_Setpt>154.9836: 1”). However, if the controller 26receives input that ambient temperature is still greater than 12.17466degrees Celsius (“AirAmb_Te_Actl>12.17466”) but the front passenger sidetemperature set point has been adjusted to less than or equal to154.9836 (i.e., approximately 77.3 degrees Fahrenheit)(“Front_Rt_Temp_Setpt<=154.9836: 0”), then the controller 26 deactivatesthe temperature altering element 24.

The method of controlling the temperature altering element 24 canfurther comprise automatically reactivating the temperature alteringelement 24 pursuant to the Pre-established Predictive ActivationModel(s), after automatically deactivating the temperature alteringelement 24 pursuant to the Pre-established Predictive Activation Model,if the collected data relating to the Certain Identifiable Conditionscollected after deactivating the temperature altering element 24 againsatisfy the rules for activation pursuant to the Pre-establishedPredictive Activation Model(s). The controller 26 can continue tocollect data relative to the Certain Identifiable Conditions while theoccupant is occupying the first seating assembly 14 and compare thecollected data to the rules of the Pre-established Predictive ActivationModel(s). If the collected data once again satisfy the rules of thePre-established Predictive Activation Model(s) to activate thetemperature altering element 24, then the controller 26 can reactivatethe temperature altering element 24 accordingly. For example, againusing the example Pre-established Predictive Activation Model forheating set forth above beginning with “AirAmb_Te_Actl>12.17466,” thecontroller 26 automatically activates the temperature altering element24 to impart heat, when the controller 26 receives input that theambient temperature is greater than the certain temperature(“AirAmb_Te_Actl>12.17466”) and the front passenger side temperature setpoint is greater than 154.9836 (i.e., approximately 77.3 degreesFahrenheit) (“Front_Rt_Temp_Setpt>154.9836: 1”). As explained above,when the controller 26 receives input that does not satisfy the rulesfor activation, for example, the front passenger side temperature setpoint has changed to be less than or equal to the certain temperature(“Front_Rt_Temp_Setpt<=154.9836: 0), then the controller 26 deactivatesthe temperature altering element 24. However, if the controller 26subsequently again receives input data relating to the CertainIdentifiable Conditions that satisfy the rules of the Pre-establishedPredictive Activation Model for activation of the temperature alteringelement 24, such as the front passenger side temperature set point againbeing set to greater than 154.9836 (“Front_Rt_Temp_Setpt>154.9836: 1”)while the ambient temperature is less than the certain temperature(“AirAmb_Te_Actl>12.17466”), then the controller 26 reactivates thetemperature altering element 24 to impart heat. In other words, thecontroller 26 accepts input data relating to the Certain IdentifiableConditions in “real-time,” dynamically considers whether the input datasatisfies any of the rules of the Pre-established Predictive ActivationModel(s) for activation or deactivation of the temperature alteringelement 24, and controls the activation/deactivation of the temperaturealtering element 24 accordingly.

The method of controlling the temperature altering element 24 canfurther comprise the occupant of the first seating assembly 14 manuallydeactivating the temperature altering element 24 via the user interface32 (see FIG. 3A). For example, the occupant of the first seatingassembly 14 could press the button 36 labeled “OFF” on the touch screendisplay 34 to manually deactivate the temperature altering element 24 ofthe first seating assembly 14 that the controller 26 had previouslyactivated automatically pursuant to the Pre-established PredictiveActivation Model(s). The controller 26 accepts this interface as inputand consequently deactivates the temperature altering element 24.

The method of controlling the temperature altering element 24 canfurther comprise, upon the occupant of the first seating assembly 14manually deactivating the temperature altering element 24 via the userinterface 32, recalibrating the Pre-established Predictive ActivationModel into a New Predictive Activation Model accounting for thecollected data relating to the Certain Identifiable Conditions existingwhen the occupant manually deactivated the temperature altering element24 and thus establishing new rules for activation and deactivation ofthe temperature altering element 24. To do so, the controller 26 can bepre-loaded with software to perform classification and regression treeanalyses, such as the mentioned C.50 program. The occupant's manualdeactivation of the temperature altering element 24 that had beenautomatically activated by the controller 26 pursuant to thePre-established Predictive Activation Model constitutes the occupant'srejection of the rule of the Pre-established Predictive Activation Model(and therefore the Certain Identifiable Conditions satisfying the rule)the controller 26 relied upon to automatically activate the temperaturealtering element 24. For example, using this rule of Pre-establishedPredictive Activation Model for heating set forth above—

AirAmb_Te_Actl <= 12.17466: :...isMorning <= 0: 0(120)  isMorning > 0: :...turnOnHeat3 <= 0:   :...tempDiff <= 3.670543: 0 (112)   : tempDiff > 3.670543: 1 (9/1)—the controller 26 would automatically activate the temperature alteringelement 24 to impart heat if the controller 26 receives input that theambient temperature is less than or equal to 12.17466 degrees Celsius(“AirAmb_Te_Actl<=12.17466”), the time of the day is a morning hour(“isMorning>0”), the occupant has not requested the vehicle 10 to heatthe interior 12 with high blower speed (“turnOnHeat3<=0”), and thetemperature differential between the ambient temperature and thein-vehicle 10 temperature is greater than 3.670543 degrees Celsius(“tempDiff>3.670543: 1”). However, if the controller 26 automaticallyactivates the temperature altering element 24 to impart heat, and theoccupant rejects the activation by manually deactivating the temperaturealtering element 24 via the user interface 32, then the controller 26recalibrates the pre-established predictive model into a New PredictiveActivation Model, accounting for the data related to the CertainIdentifiable Conditions existing when the occupant manually deactivatedthe temperature altering element 24. The New Predictive Activation Modelcan weigh the occupant's decision heavily such that when the CertainIdentifiable Conditions that existed when the occupant manuallydeactivated the temperature altering element 24 exist again, thecontroller 26 would not activate the temperature altering element 24 andwould deactivate automatically the temperature altering element 24 ifthe temperature altering element 24 was activated. In other words, theNew Predictive Activation Model can include a rule, as a function ofthose Certain Identifiable Conditions, deactivating or not activatingthe temperature altering element 24. Alternatively, the new predictivemodel can weigh the data related to the Certain Identifiable Conditionsexisting when the occupant manually deactivated the temperature alteringelement 24 the same as the Test Vehicle data from which thePre-established Predictive Activation Model was originally derived. Inany case, the New Predictive Activation Model will continue to utilizethe data collected from the Test Vehicles as well as the data collectedfrom the vehicle 10 relating to the Certain Identifiable Conditionsexisting when the occupant manually deactivated the temperature alteringelement 24.

The method of controlling the temperature altering element 24 canfurther comprise the occupant manually activating the temperaturealtering element 24 via the user interface 32. For example, the occupantof the first seating assembly 14 could press the button 44 labeled “ON”on the touch screen display 34 to activate the temperature alteringelement 24 of the first seating assembly 14. The controller 26 acceptsthis interface as input and consequently activates the temperaturealtering element 24 that the controller 26 either previously deactivatedor did not activate pursuant to the Pre-established PredictiveActivation Model (or New Predictive Activation Model).

The method of controlling the temperature altering element 24 canfurther comprise recalibrating the New Predictive Activation Model intoa Newer Predictive Activation Model accounting for the collected datarelative to the Certain Identifiable Conditions existing when theoccupant manually activated the temperature altering element 24 andestablishing new rules for activation and/or deactivation of thetemperature altering element 24, upon the occupant manually activatingthe temperature altering element 24 via the user interface 32. Thecontroller 26 records the data relative to the Certain IdentifiableConditions existing when the occupant manually activates the temperaturealtering element 24 and prepares a Newer Predictive Activation Modelwith new rules for activation using the data. Again, the NewerPredictive Activation Model can weigh heavily the data relating to theCertain Identifiable Conditions existing when the occupant manuallyactivated the temperature altering element 24 with a new rule such thatthe controller 26 automatically activates the temperature alteringelement 24 when those Certain Identifiable Conditions again exist.Alternatively, the Newer Predictive Activation Model can weigh the datarelative to the Certain Identifiable Conditions existing when theoccupant manually activated the temperature altering element 24 the sameas the other data previously replied upon to derive the Pre-establishedPredictive Activation Model. In general, the controller 26 continues torefine the predictive modeling (the Pre-established PredictiveActivation Model(s) and subsequent recalibrations thereof) by performinga new CART analysis based on the data relative to the CertainIdentifiable Conditions whenever the occupant of the first seatingassembly 14 manually activates or deactivates the temperature alteringelement 24. Eventually, the predictive modeling will be refinedaccording to the occupant's preferences and the occupant will no longerhave the need to manually activate or deactivate the temperaturealtering element 24—the predictive modeling will activate or deactivatethe temperature altering element 24 automatically to satisfy theoccupant's preferences.

Refining the Pre-established Predictive Activation Model into the NewPredictive Activation Model, the Newer Predictive Activation Model, andsubsequent refinements thereof will identify the preferences of theoccupant, including situations when the occupant desires the activationof the temperature altering element 24 for reasons other than in-vehicle10 temperature or ambient temperature. For example, the occupant maydesire the temperature altering element 24 to impart heat during thefirst several minutes on a commute to work, for therapeutic reasons. Asanother example, the occupant of the first seating assembly 14 maydesire the temperature altering element 24 to impart cooling during thespring on weekend days (to ensure the occupant's comfort) when the frontpassenger side set point temperature is above a certain temperature (toensure a passenger's comfort), as a compensation effect to compensatefor the blown heated air attempting to satisfy the front passenger sideset point temperature. A CART analysis of the collected data relating tothe Certain Identifiable Conditions will learn this behavior andeventually automatically activate and deactivate the temperaturealtering element 24 accordingly. The CART analysis is thus a learningalgorithm that provides a high degree of accuracy because the CertainIdentifiable Conditions are considered across the entire history of thevehicle 10. Other possible non-learning methods, such as those involvingweighted averages, will not be as accurate and will not account fortime/day/season dependent behavior.

The method of controlling the temperature altering element 24 canfurther comprise determining, by comparing the collected data to therules of Pre-established Predictive Level Model, which level of theseveral different levels of temperature altering the controller 26 willinitially automatically set for the temperature altering element 24 andinitially automatically setting the temperature altering element 24 tothe determined level. In other words, when the controller 26 determines,based on the Pre-established Predictive Activation Model (or NewPredictive Activation Model or Newer Predictive Activation Model) toautomatically activate the temperature altering element 24, thecontroller 26 additionally determines, based on the Pre-establishedPredictive Level Model and the data relating to the Certain IdentifiableConditions, which level at which to set the temperature altering element24 (e.g., low, medium, or high). While the temperature altering element24 remains activated, the controller 26 dynamically compares thecollected data to the rules of the Pre-established Predictive LevelModel and adjusts the level of the temperature altering element 24accordingly. If the rules of the Pre-established Predictive Level Model,based on the collected data after the activation of the temperaturealtering element 24, dictates that the temperature level of thetemperature altering element 24 be changed, the controller 26 thuscauses the temperature altering element 24 to alter temperatureaccording to the level prescribed by the Pre-established PredictiveLevel Model.

The method of controlling the temperature altering element 24 canfurther comprise the occupant of the first seating assembly 14 manuallychanging the level of temperature altering for the temperature alteringelement 24 via the user interface 32. For example, the controller 26,pursuant to the Pre-established Predictive Level Model, could haveinitially set the temperature altering element 24 to alter temperatureat level 3 (HIGH) and the occupant of the first seating assembly 14could subsequently press the button 42 labeled “LOW” on the touch screendisplay 34 to cause the temperature altering element 24 to altertemperature at the relatively lower level. The controller 26 acceptsthis interface as input and consequently causes the temperature alteringelement 24 to alter temperature at this relatively low level.

The method of controlling the temperature altering element 24 canfurther comprise recalibrating the Pre-established Predictive LevelModel into a New Predictive Level Model accounting for the collecteddata relative to the Certain Identifiable Conditions existing when theoccupant manually changed the level of temperature altering andestablishing new rules governing the level of temperature altering forthe temperature altering element 24 when the temperature alteringelement 24 is automatically activated, upon the occupant manuallychanging the level of temperature altering for the temperature alteringelement 24 via the user interface 32. The controller 26 records the datarelative to the Certain Identifiable Conditions existing when theoccupant manually changed the level of temperature altering and preparesa New Predictive Level Model accounting for these Certain IdentifiableConditions. In general, the controller 26 continues to refine thepredictive modeling governing the level of temperature altering byperforming a new neural net analysis or a multilayer perceptronclassifier analysis including the collected data relative to the CertainIdentifiable Conditions whenever the occupant of the first seatingassembly 14 manually alters the level of the temperature alteringelement 24. The multilayer perceptron classifier analysis, like the CARTanalysis, is thus a learning algorithm that provides a high degree ofaccuracy because the Certain Identifiable Conditions are consideredacross the entire history of the vehicle 10. Other possible non-learningmethods, such as those involving weighted averages, will not be asaccurate.

The method of controlling the temperature altering element 24 canfurther comprise, after the occupant manually changes the level oftemperature altering, automatically deactivating the temperaturealtering element 24 and then automatically reactivating the temperaturealtering element 24. When the controller 26 automatically reactivatesthe temperature altering element 24 pursuant to the Pre-establishedPredictive Activation Model (or recalibrated version thereof), themethod can further comprise determining, by comparing the collected datato the New Predictive Level Model, which level of the several differentlevels of temperature altering the controller 26 will initiallyautomatically set for the temperature altering element 24 andautomatically setting the temperature altering element 24 to thedetermined level. In other words, in a subsequent session of automaticactivation of the temperature altering element 24, the controller 26utilizes the rules of the New Predictive Level Model to determine atwhich level the temperature altering element 24 will be set.

The method of controlling the temperature altering element 24 canfurther comprise removing the occupant from the first seating assembly14, occupying the first seating assembly 14 with a second occupant, andrecognizing that the second occupant is different than the firstoccupant. The controller 26 can determine that the second occupantdifferent than the first occupant is occupying first seating assembly 14in various ways, such as by the weight of the second occupant asmeasured by the first seating assembly 14 compared to the weight of thefirst occupant. Alternatively, the second occupant can instruct thecontroller 26 via the user interface 32 (such as by selecting a userprofile dedicated to the second occupant) that the second occupantrather than the first occupant is occupying the first seating assembly14.

The method of controlling the temperature altering element 24 canfurther comprise collecting data relative to the Certain IdentifiableConditions while the second occupant is occupying the first seatingassembly 14 and determining, by comparing only the data collected whilethe second occupant is occupying the first seating assembly 14, and notthe data collected while the first occupant was occupying the firstseating assembly 14, to the rules of the Pre-established PredictiveActivation Model(s), to determine whether data collected satisfy therules of the Pre-established Predictive Activation Model(s) so as toinitially automatically activate the temperature altering element 24. Inother words, the controller 26 recognizes that the second occupantoccupies the first seating assembly 14 and begins anew with thePre-established Predictive Activation Model(s), rather than thePredictive Activation Model recalibrated to account for the firstoccupant's manual activations or deactivations of the temperaturealtering element 24 (such as the New Predictive Activation Model(s) orsubsequent recalibrated version thereof). Therefore, only the secondoccupant's manual activations and deactivations of the temperaturealtering element 24 will cause recalibration of the Pre-establishedPredictive Activation Model(s) into subsequent predictive models. Themethod of controlling the temperature altering element 24 can furthercomprise initially automatically activating the temperature alteringelement 24 while the second occupant is occupying the first seatingassembly 14. In other words, the controller 26, comparing the datacollected relating to the Certain Identifiable Conditions to the rulesof the Pre-established Predictive Activation Model(s), can subsequentlyactivate the temperature altering element 24 accordingly while thesecond occupant is occupying the first seating assembly 14 to impartheat or cooling as the data collected and the rules of thePre-established Predictive Activation Model(s) dictate.

The methods of automatically controlling the activation/deactivation ofthe temperature altering element 24 pursuant to the Pre-establishedPredictive Activation Model and the level of temperature alteringpursuant to the Pre-established Predictive Level Model (and subsequentrecalibrated iterations thereof) provide advantages over other methodsthat control all means of temperature control in a vehicle (such asblower level, temperature set points, etc.). For example, the occupantof the first seating assembly 14 may simply desire the controller 26 toexercise automatic control of the temperature altering element 24 in thefirst seating assembly 14 but not automatic control over the entireclimate in the interior 12 of the vehicle 10.

It is to be understood that variations and modifications can be made onthe aforementioned structure without departing from the concepts of thepresent invention, and further it is to be understood that such conceptsare intended to be covered by the following claims unless these claimsby their language expressly state otherwise.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of controlling a heating element withina seating assembly of a vehicle comprising: collecting data relating toCertain Identifiable Conditions while an occupant is occupying a seatingassembly of a vehicle, the seating assembly comprising a heating elementconfigured to impart heating to the occupant of the seating assemblywithin which the heating element is disposed, and the vehicle furthercomprising: (a) a controller in communication with the heating element,the controller including a Pre-established Predictive Activation Modelsetting forth rules governing activation of the heating element as afunction of data relating to Certain Identifiable Conditions; and (b) auser interface configured to allow the heating element to be manuallyactivated or deactivated; and automatically activating the heatingelement when the collected data satisfies the rules of thePre-established Predictive Activation Model for activation of theheating element as a function of the data relating to the CertainIdentifiable Conditions, and the rules of the Pre-established PredictiveActivation Model are a function of data relating to ambient temperatureand at least one other Certain Identifiable Conditions including whetherautomatic windshield wipers have been activated.
 2. The method of claim1 further comprising: after the occupant manually deactivates theheating element via the user interface, recalibrating thePre-established Predictive Activation Model into a New PredictiveActivation Model accounting for the collected data relative to theCertain Identifiable Conditions existing when the occupant manuallydeactivated the heating element that establishes new rules foractivation of the heating element.
 3. The method of claim 1 furthercomprising: after automatically activating the heating element,providing a notification at the user interface that the heating elementhas been automatically activated.
 4. The method of claim 1 furthercomprising: after automatically activating the heating element,providing a touchable OFF button at the user interface to allow anoccupant of the vehicle to manually deactivate the heating element. 5.The method of claim 1 further comprising: after automatically activatingthe heating element, automatically deactivating the heating element whenthe collected data no longer satisfies the rules of the Pre-establishedPredictive Activation Model for activation of the heating element. 6.The method of claim 1 further comprising: automatically setting thelevel, among more than one possible levels, at which the heating elementimparts heat, pursuant to a Pre-established Predictive Level Modelsetting forth rules governing the level at which the heating elementimparts heat as a function of data relating to the Certain IdentifiableConditions.
 7. The method of claim 1, the rules of the Pre-establishedPredictive Activation Model are further a function of data relating toat least one other Certain Identifiable Condition including (a) enginespeed, (b) time of day, and (c) speed of the vehicle.
 8. A method ofcontrolling a cooling element within a seating assembly of a vehiclecomprising: collecting data relating to Certain Identifiable Conditionswhile an occupant is occupying a seating assembly of a vehicle, theseating assembly comprising a cooling element configured to impartcooling to the occupant of the seating assembly within which the coolingelement is disposed, and the vehicle further comprising: (a) acontroller in communication with the cooling element, the controllerincluding a Pre-established Predictive Activation Model setting forthrules governing activation of the cooling element as a function of datarelating to Certain Identifiable Conditions; and (b) a user interfaceconfigured to allow the cooling element to be manually activated ordeactivated; and automatically activating the cooling element when thecollected data satisfies the rules of the Pre-established PredictiveActivation Model for activation of the cooling element as a function ofthe data relating to the Certain Identifiable Conditions, and the rulesof the Pre-established Predictive Activation Model are a function ofdata relating to ambient temperature and at least one other CertainIdentifiable Condition including whether automatic windshield wipershave been activated.
 9. The method of claim 8 further comprising: afterthe occupant manually deactivates the cooling element via the userinterface, recalibrating the Pre-established Predictive Activation Modelinto a New Predictive Activation Model accounting for the collected datarelative to the Certain Identifiable Conditions existing when theoccupant manually deactivated the cooling element.
 10. The method ofclaim 9 further comprising: after the occupant manually activates thecooling element via the user interface, recalibrating the New PredictiveActivation Model into a Newer Predictive Activation Model accounting forthe collected data relative to the Certain Identifiable Conditionsexisting when the occupant manually activated the cooling element; andautomatically activating the cooling element when the collected datasatisfies the rules of the Newer Predictive Activation Model foractivation of the cooling element as a function of the data relating tothe Certain Identifiable Conditions.
 11. The method of claim 8, therules of the Pre-established Predictive Activation Model are further afunction of data relating to at least one other Certain IdentifiableCondition including (a) engine speed, (b) time of day, and (c) speed ofthe vehicle.
 12. The method of claim 8, the cooling element beingadjustable to different levels of cooling; and the controller furthercomprising a Pre-established Predictive Level Model establishing rulesgoverning which level of different levels of cooling the controller willinitially automatically set for the cooling element, the rules of thePre-established Predictive Level Model being a function of one or moreof the Certain Identifiable Conditions; the method further comprising:determining, by comparing the collected data to the rules of thePre-established Predictive Level Model, which level of the differentlevels of cooling the controller will initially automatically set forthe cooling element; and initially automatically setting the coolingelement to the determined level.
 13. The method of claim 12 furthercomprising: after the occupant manually changes the level of cooling forthe cooling element via the user interface, recalibrating thePre-established Predictive Level Model into a New Predictive Level Modelaccounting for the collected data relative to the Certain IdentifiableConditions existing when the occupant manually changed the level ofcooling and establishing new rules governing the level of cooling forthe cooling element when the cooling element is automatically activated.14. The method of claim 8 further comprising: recognizing that a secondoccupant, different than the occupant, is occupying the seatingassembly; and collecting data relative to the Certain IdentifiableConditions while the second occupant is occupying the seating assemblyand disregarding data collected relating to the Certain IdentifiableConditions while the occupant was occupying the seating assembly.
 15. Amethod of controlling a temperature altering element within a seatingassembly of a vehicle comprising: collecting data relating to CertainIdentifiable Conditions while an occupant is occupying a seatingassembly of a vehicle, the seating assembly comprising a temperaturealtering element (i) configured to impart heating or cooling to theoccupant of the seating assembly within which the temperature alteringelement is disposed, and (ii) being adjustable to different levels oftemperature altering, the vehicle further comprising (i) a controller incommunication with the temperature altering element and (ii) a userinterface configured to allow the temperature altering element to bemanually activated or deactivated, and the controller comprising (i) aPre-established Predictive Activation Model setting forth rulesgoverning activation of the temperature altering element as a functionof data relating to Certain Identifiable Condition and (ii) aPre-established Predictive Level Model establishing rules governingwhich level of different levels of temperature altering the controllerwill initially automatically set for the temperature altering element,the rules of the Pre-established Predictive Level Model being a functionof one or more of the Certain Identifiable Conditions; automaticallyactivating the temperature altering element when the collected datasatisfies the rules of the Pre-established Predictive Activation Modelfor activation of the temperature altering element as a function of thedata relating to the Certain Identifiable Conditions; determining, bycomparing the collected data to the rules of the Pre-establishedPredictive Level Model, which level of the different levels oftemperature altering the controller will initially automatically set forthe temperature altering element; and initially automatically settingthe temperature altering element to the determined level.
 16. The methodof claim 15, the temperature altering element comprising a coolingelement configured to impart cooling to an occupant of the seatingassembly within which the cooling element is disposed.
 17. The method ofclaim 15, the temperature altering element comprising a heating elementconfigured to impart heating to an occupant of the seating assemblywithin which the heating element is disposed.
 18. The method of claim15, the rules of the Pre-established Predictive Activation Model are afunction of data relating to ambient temperature and at least one otherof: (a) time of day; (b) whether automatic windshield wipers have beenactivated; (c) speed of the vehicle; and (d) engine speed.
 19. Themethod of claim 15 further comprising: after the occupant manuallydeactivates the temperature altering element via the user interface,recalibrating the Pre-established Predictive Activation Model into a NewPredictive Activation Model accounting for the collected data relativeto the Certain Identifiable Conditions existing when the occupantmanually deactivated the temperature altering element that establishesnew rules for activation of the temperature altering element.
 20. Themethod of claim 15 further comprising: after the occupant manuallychanges the level of temperature altering for the temperature alteringelement via the user interface, recalibrating the Pre-establishedPredictive Level Model into a New Predictive Level Model accounting forthe collected data relative to the Certain Identifiable Conditionsexisting when the occupant manually changed the level of temperaturealtering and establishing new rules governing the level of temperaturealtering for the temperature altering element when the temperaturealtering element is automatically activated.